The "First Beirut Sports Festival" was officially inaugurated at the "Forum de Beyrouth" in the presence of official, military, and sports dignitaries, as well as athletes and sports enthusiasts. Among the attendees were Minister of Tourism Walid Nassar, MPs Michel Moawad and Elias Hankach, President of the Olympic Committee Pierre Ghaleb, Colonel Andre Haddad representing the Commander of the Lebanese Army General Joseph Aoun, Major Hussam Saadeh representing the Acting Director General of General Security Brigadier Elias Beissari, Major Khaled Nasser representing the Director General of Internal Security Forces Major General Walid Osman, Major Marwan Mansour representing the Director General of State Security Major General Antoine Saliba, Beirut Governor Judge Marwan Aboud, Director of Sports at the Ministry of Youth and Sports and General Director of Sports and Scout Facilities Mohammad Ouedat, lawyer Ibrahim Al-Shuwairi, advisor to the Minister of Youth and Sports George Kallas, Vice President of the Olympic Committee Assaad Al-Nakhal, First Vice President of the Asian Basketball Confederation and President of the Lebanese Basketball Federation Akram Halabi, Secretary General lawyer Charbel Michel Rizk, President of the Volleyball Federation Walid Qassouf, President of the Mixed Martial Arts Federation Mohammad Dagher and his deputy Hassan Jizini, President of the Table Tennis Federation George Kobli, President of the Kung Fu Federation George Nseir and his Secretary General Bassam Nahra, Honorary President and Vice President of the Fencing Federation George Zidan and member Rabi Raidi, Joe Khoury representing the President of the Taekwondo Federation Habib Zreifeh, President of the Lebanese Club of Cars and Tourism lawyer Eli Asaf, President of the Racing Club Paula Faroun Rizk, members of federations, clubs, and current and former champions led by rally champions drivers Nabil Karam and Abdo Fghali, Olympic sharpshooter Ray Basile, and several stars of Lebanese basketball, male and female players, representatives of sponsoring companies, and a crowd of journalists and media personnel from local and international outlets.
The senior visitors were welcomed by the head of the festival's organizing committee Karim Al-Indari (President of the Lebanese Coping Federation) and members of the organizing committee. After everyone arrived, they proceeded to watch impressive aerial shows, a fencing demonstration, exciting performances in taekwondo, kung fu, and wushu, alongside artistic and sports displays that received the admiration and applause of attendees of all ages. Drifting exhibitions were also held in the outdoor area of the Forum de Beyrouth. After the shows concluded, attendees toured the exhibition, which spans 10,000 square meters, expressing their admiration for what they saw and observing matches in basketball, mixed martial arts, table tennis, and coping, among others.
The first day featured a discussion led by chairwoman of the board of directors of "An-Nahar" media Nayla Tueni with First Vice President of the Asian Basketball Confederation and President of the Lebanese Basketball Federation Akram Halabi, rally drivers Nabil Karam and Abdo Fghali, and Olympic sharpshooter Ray Basile. It is noteworthy that the "Beirut Sports Festival" will open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, May 26, 27, and 28, from 4 PM to 10 PM, and the three days will feature more sports shows.
