The "First Beirut Sports Festival" has been officially announced, scheduled for May 25, 26, 27, and 28 at the "Forum de Beyrouth." This was revealed during a press conference held in the outdoor area of the Forum, marking a remarkable evening for a significant recreational sports event that will attract thousands of visitors from across the nation over four days, making a lasting impression due to its magnitude. This unique event is expected to be one of a kind.
Attendees included the President of the Olympic Committee Dr. Pierre Jalakh, acting General Director of Sports Facilities and Youth, and Sports Ministry's Head of Sports, Mohammad Ouwaydat, as well as consultants to the Minister of Youth and Sports, lawyers Ibrahim Choury and Dr. Raji Labki, Deputy President of the Olympic Committee Asaad Nakhal, heads and members of sports federations, and many representatives from sponsoring companies, exhibitors, and numerous journalists.
Emcee George Sweidi welcomed the attendees on behalf of the founder of the "Beirut Sports Festival," Karim Al-Andari, noting that organizing this large sports event is an achievement amid the challenging economic conditions Lebanon has faced over the past three and a half years.
Olympic shooter Ray Bassil (who participated in the London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2021 Olympics) spoke about the festival's goal to support emerging and established athletes through an entrance fee of one dollar per person, hoping that this unique event succeeds for the benefit of sports and athletes.
Al-Andari reiterated his welcome to the participants and invited them to watch the promotional announcement for the event. He added that the festival will take place over an area of 10,000 square meters and will open on Thursday, May 25. He revealed that "more than twenty games will be featured at the festival, led by basketball (3x3) (university championship), mixed martial arts (MMA), fencing, taekwondo, padel tennis, and table tennis (which includes a competition for the top 16 ranked male players in Lebanon) as well as university competitions in tug-of-war, kung fu, wushu, badminton, and baby-foot, with supervision from the relevant federations alongside various sports competitions and exciting drift shows under the auspices of the Lebanese Automobile and Touring Club."
He also mentioned that "Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International" will cover the four days with daily live broadcasts. Al-Andari noted that Nayla Tueni, the editor-in-chief of "An-Nahar" newspaper, will interview several current and former athletes. The festival, under the slogan "All Sports Are Ours," will include a sports exhibition showcasing sports equipment, nutritional supplements, and a special food area for visitors.
Additionally, the main entrance to the exhibition will feature a booth for the newly established Olympic Museum, which houses equipment used by athletes who participated in summer Olympic Games, a gesture intended to inform Lebanese and foreign visitors about the museum's contents and to recognize the contributions of Lebanese athletes in the Olympics since the mid-20th century.
Al-Andari reiterated that all proceeds from the entrance fees (one dollar per person) are aimed at financially and materially supporting sports talents and outstanding athletes. He thanked the sponsoring companies and everyone displaying their products during the festival while inviting Lebanese and residents in Lebanon to attend, emphasizing that the event is open to families and all age groups.
Several heads of sports federations also spoke about their respective sports and participation in the festival.
