The Lebanese Taekwondo Federation inaugurated the "Annual South Korean Ambassador's Championship for Juniors and Youth" at the President Emil Lahoud Sports Complex (Mar Roukoz - Dekwaneh). The Federation President, Dr. Habib Zreifa, expressed his gratitude to the South Korean government for its support to "the Lebanese Federation and the growing Taekwondo community in Lebanon." He discussed the local and international competitions scheduled for this year, notably the Asian Championship in September, as well as signing a cooperation agreement with the World Taekwondo organization "Kukkiwon."
Dr. Zreifa then presented a commemorative gift to the South Korean Ambassador, Il Park, who, in turn, handed over a list of equipment provided by South Korea. The ambassador stated, "I would like to assure you that 2023 is the year of Taekwondo in Lebanon for several reasons: the remarkable leadership of Dr. Habib Zreifa as president of the federation for six years, Lebanon hosting the Asian Championship in September, and the World Organization 'Kukkiwon' participating in the opening ceremony with a note about the agreement between the Lebanese Federation and 'Kukkiwon,' and opening a regional office in Lebanon." He added, "The South Korean government and the South Korean embassy are renewing their support for the development of the sport in Lebanon, and I assure you that we will continue to support the federation in the coming years."
This competition, held over two weeks, is organized annually to affirm the strong historical ties between the South Korean embassy and the Lebanese Taekwondo Federation. Attendees included South Korean Ambassador Il Park and his wife, embassy officials, Federation President Dr. Habib Zreifa and his wife, Master Park Soon, envoy from South Korea to Lebanon, Deputy Federation President Mohammad Qazaan, Federation member Accountant Grandmaster Eli Naim, Federation member Grandmaster Joe Khoury, Grandmasters Anwar Naim, George Khattar, Antoine Saad, Joseph Abou Samra, and National Teams Director Grandmaster Ralf Harb, in addition to the players' families and media representatives.
