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The Lebanese Table Tennis Federation has launched its busy calendar of activities for the year 2024. This Is Beirut met the President of the Federation (also a member of the International Federation), Georges Kopaly, who was elected to head the Federation in autumn 2020 and is successfully steering the sport’s ship.
A Busy Schedule
Lebanese Table Tennis Federation President Georges Kopaly said, “The game is progressing… and our calendar of activities, both locally and internationally, is busy. We have launched the calendar of activities for the year 2024, including competitions, tournaments, training courses and participation abroad, as usual. We concluded the provincial championships for the second division teams. The table tennis family in Lebanon comprises more than 130 clubs in different regions of the country. The Table Tennis Federation is considered one of the great federations in Lebanon, achieving remarkable results both nationally and internationally thanks to champions in different age categories.”
“I was elected president of the Federation three and a half years ago, and I leave it to the table tennis family to evaluate the Federation’s performance under my presidency. My conscience is clear, and I am working with my colleagues on the administrative committee to guide the sport forward. The past three years have been rich in activity, and this year’s calendar is equally busy. We have launched the calendar for 2024, which is proceeding normally despite the poor economic and security situation. I’d like to point out that Lebanon will be hosting two international men’s and women’s tournaments in March at Al-Kawthar (Beirut), with prizes totaling $42,000 (with the participation of top male and female players), as well as a youth tournament next month at the Al-Kawthar club too, awarding points to the winners on the international ranking list. Players from 38 countries around the world will be present, with over 100 players taking part, in addition to Lebanese players. There will also be the Jezzine International Tournament, the third edition of which will take place this autumn. I would like to point out that we will be celebrating World Table Tennis Day in Batroun on April 20, and the President of the Asian Federation, Khalil Al-Muhannadi, will be attending the event.”
Various Positions
“Our foreign participations continue, and Lebanon has a strong presence on the world table tennis scene, administratively and technically. We regularly take part in international, Asian, West Asian, French-speaking and Arab general assemblies. We hold several positions in these federations. I’m a member of the International Federation and the West Asian Federation. The Treasurer of the Lebanese Table Tennis Federation, lawyer Wael Nour Eddine, has been a member of the Arab Federation for many years, and Rita Bsaibes, a member of the Lebanese Federation, is Chair of the International Federation’s Equipment Committee and a member of the Asian Federation. Maissa Bsaibes holds an international administrative position, in addition to several positions for Lebanese international referees. On this occasion, I took part in the international, Asian, Arab and French-speaking general assemblies held in Busan, South Korea. I’d describe relations with foreign federations as excellent, considering that Lebanon is an active member of these federations and one of the founders of the International Federation.”
132 Clubs
“I am entirely satisfied with the activity of all the Federation’s working committees and the trajectory of the game. There are 132 clubs in the table tennis family, which is a high number, and our Federation is one of the largest in the Land of Cedars. As far as the Federation’s budget is concerned, the 2023 budget was $35,000 and should reach nearly $40,000 in 2024.”
In response to the question as to whether he plans to run for a new term as president of the Federation, Kopaly smiled and replied, “My program and action plan extend over eight years, and of course, I will run for a second presidential term. When I was elected president in the autumn of 2020, Lebanon was going through a serious political and economic crisis which continues to this day. The Federation’s General Assembly holds the decision, and I respect any decision that grants confidence to my list. I have an excellent relationship with the table tennis family, whether administrators, coaches, referees or players. I also have an exceptional relationship with the Lebanese sports federations.”
In conclusion, Kopaly expressed his thanks to all those who contribute to the Federation’s success, praising the press and media for their continued interest in table tennis and their coverage throughout the year.
