KASLIK, LEBANON – The Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL) presented trophies and prizes to the 2021 men’s and women’s motorsport champions at its traditional annual ceremony, held in the club’s main hall.
Attendees were led by ATCL secretary-general Camille Eddé; Imad Lahoud, FIA representative for the Middle East and North Africa; board members Roger Zovighian (auditor), Sheikh Nabil El Khazen (head of the classic car committee) and Gilbert Massihi; national sports committee director Sleiman Khattar; head of the motorsport department Gaby Kraiker; the club’s motorsport officials; the champions; and members of the press and media.
A full 2021 season
The ceremony opened with the Lebanese national anthem, followed by a welcome speech from master of ceremonies, journalist Jad Deaibess, who thanked everyone who contributed to the success of the motorsport season.
Lahoud then spoke about 2021, a busy year for motorsport in which the club completed its entire calendar of events. He thanked former Minister of Youth and Sports Vartine Ohanian for her efforts on behalf of motorsport and for her patronage of the Middle East and North Africa Cross Kart Championship, in which Lebanese drivers achieved good results. He also highlighted the strong Lebanese results at the Middle East Karting Championship held days earlier in Oman.
Lahoud reaffirmed that the Rally of Lebanon – a round of the Middle East Rally Championship – held last September was a success on every level.
2022 calendar
Lahoud added that 2022 will see a packed calendar of events across all forms of motorsport. He thanked ATCL chairman Sheikh Fouad El Khazen and the board members for giving motorsport great importance alongside the many other sports practised at the club, and congratulated all the winners across every championship.
The dignitaries then presented the trophies to the champions in a festive atmosphere, including awards to Roger Feghali and Xavier Mosaad.
On the sidelines of the ceremony, Lahoud honoured Michael Hayek, a member of the rally office staff, for his “tremendous administrative efforts” in the service of motorsport.
Photos: BISER3A.