Amid a festive and distinguished family atmosphere, the Lebanese Badminton Federation honored the players of the Lebanese national team under 15 and 17 years old during a celebratory dinner held in Shogan Beirut on Wednesday, November 22. This recognition follows the remarkable continental achievement of the Lebanese team in the West Asian Youth Championship, which took place from October 12 to 17 in Erbil, Iraq.
The award ceremony was held under the supervision of the President of the Lebanese Federation and Vice President of the International Federation, Jassem Kanso, along with the Vice President and Head of the Women’s and Humanitarian Committee, Rola Majzoub Kabbani. The event was in collaboration with the Secretary-General and Development Officer in the Asian continent, Coach Paul Rukoz, the Treasurer and National Coach Ali Kazma, the General Referee Committee Head Ghaleb Fakih, and advisory members, including Samir Shaghoury from the Arab Badminton Federation, Nicole Shoueiry (Head of the Lebanase Schools Committee), Dina Hakim Agha (Head of the Special Needs Committee), and Raoul Antoun.
The ceremony began with a speech by Federation President Jassem Kanso, congratulating the young players for the outstanding results that brought pride to their country. He praised the efforts of the technical and administrative staff for leading the Lebanese national team to rightfully ascend to the championship podium. Kanso concluded his remarks by thanking all members of the team, including players, coaches, and administrators, for their dedication and efforts in the continental competition.
The honoring ceremony concluded with the official commemorative photos and the distribution of participation certificates in the West Asian Championship to players Maria Christina Bou Nassar, Sarah Maria El Helou, Robin El Shweiry, and Natanyel Hatem in the under-15 category, as well as players Mia Rihal, Rebecca Abdo, Oliver Khoury, and Peter Doumit in the under-17 category.
It is worth mentioning that referees Fatima Fakih and Miguel Hassoun were also honored for their participation in officiating matches in the West Asian Championship and their involvement in the refereeing course organized by the Asian Badminton Federation
