Our team

Estephan Abi Rizk

Co-Founder of the Kids Development Group

about me

Estephan Abi Rizk is a physical therapist and physical trainer specialized for the youth in addition to being a posture specialist, football manager, scout and tactical analyst. With over 24 years of experience, and after 9 years of successful results with individuals through private sessions, miscellaneous courses and mentoring (August 2008-January 2017), he possessed the desire to pursue research in football, swimming and specialize in team management, scouting, process analysis and leadership for kids and youth.

Estephan had the opportunity to continue his education in Europe, precisely as a physical therapist, physical trainer for the youth, individual athlete development, posture specialist and leadership through sports, and in the USA as a football manager, scout and football grassroots coach as well as specializing in posture. He returned to Lebanon gaining further experience in physical therapy, psycho pedagogy and coaching football (level C). Due to this vast multicultural experience, Estephan gained great expertise in the development for kids.

In 2017, Estephan was determined to pursue his passion in kids development through football, swimming and posture enhancement (from individual training to small and big groups) in 3 approaches: 1. Providing online courses for coaches and players – U18, 2. Working with academies and 3. Working with associations focused on children. He further pushed his passion by co-founding the Kids Development Group alongside his colleague, Dani Bou Gebrayel.

about me

Dani Bou Gebrayel is a physical therapist specialized in sports injuries, a physical trainer for youth and a football manager, scout and tactical analyst. With over 9 years of experience as a professional in addition to being a football player for more than 20 years, Dani followed his passion which lead him to become a football manager and scout through courses and a certified degree from the USA. He further attained a Master’s Degree in Manual Therapy and Sports Injuries in Europe which allowed him to apply innovative techniques in helping athletes recover from their injuries. Dani continues regular research in therapy in addition to psycho pedagogy and long term training.

Recently, working with the youth has been Dani’s prime focus. He aides in developing their athletic ability whilst training them to become great athletes and reaching their utmost performance mainly in swimming and football. This led Dani, along with his colleague Estephan Abi Rizk, to co-found the Kids Development Group.

Dani Bou Gebrayel

Co-Founder of the Kids Development Group

Mario Ghosn

Sports Fanatic

about me

Mario Ghosn is a passionate sport media critic, with exceptional knowledge in sports history, statistics and sports management. He is a talented editor who combines his love for sports with forensic knowledge, using words which vividly paint a picture for the reader, engaging them in all the action. He acquired his skills from his experience working at a local Lebanese channel. He is also known for his remarkable sports investigative journalism and reporting specifically honed through football.

about me

Dr. Elie Nasr is Assistant Professor of Applied Math in the Department of Mathematics at the Lebanese University, Fanar.  He joined the University in 2014 after earning a PhD in Applied Math from the University of Bordeaux in France. His research interests lie in the fields of machine learning, artificial intelligence, predictive and classification models, as well as medical imaging. Dr. Nasr has a passion for sports and particularly in football. He is interested in using mathematical knowledge and statistical algorithms to develop particular methods in order to improve athletic performance. Recently, he joined the Kids Development Team as a volunteer to put these practices to great use.

Elie Nasr

Professor in applied mathematics

Walid El Rashid

Football Virtuoso

about me

Walid has had a successful career as a professional football player, accumulating a decade of experience in the sport. The passion he possesses for sports in their numerous fields inspired him to earn his master’s degree in Team Sports Management from Norway. Through the integration of his passion for sports and his competent career, he has proficiently cultivated a thorough and well-rounded understanding of the practical and theoretical aspects of sports within our lives and communities. His expertise relies on team management, adeptly handling team challenges, formulating resourceful solutions, and establishing comprehensive sports programs for schools and universities. He also fixates on the development of children’s capabilities from multiple facets including Cognitive, physical, social, and life development, etc.

Walid has honed his coaching skills by being awarded the Asian Coaching Program certificate (Level C) SOCCER COACH under the supervision of The Asian Football Confederation and the Lebanese Football Association.

Walid has garnered a multitude of certificates in acknowledgment and recognition of his accomplishments such as:

  1. Mental Toughness Training for Youth Athletes
  2. Street Soccer, a guide to using small-sided games.
  3. The Essential Guide to Developing Technical Soccer Players
  4. Fully Accredited Professional Sports Psychology Diploma
  5. Sports Psychology: Develop the Mind of a Champion
  6. Introduction to Football (Soccer) Tactics
Notable Accomplishments in Professional Football Career:
  1. 1993 – 1998: Professional Football Player at Al Riada Wal Adab Football Club, Tripoli – Lebanon (First Division). Distinguished achievement: At the young age of 16, successfully secured a spot as a professional football player in the highly competitive First Division of Lebanon’s Al Riada Wal Adab Football Club. Recognition: Earned the prestigious title of “Best Third Left Wing for those under 18 years,” showcasing exceptional talent and skill on the field.

  2. 1995: Nomination for Lebanese National Team (U – 18) Recognition of Talent: Nominated to represent the Lebanese National Team for the Under-18 category, highlighting outstanding performance as a left-wing player.

  3. 1999: Professional Football Player for Al Safa Football Club, Beirut – Lebanon Career Advancement: Joined Al Safa Football Club, one of Lebanon’s prominent clubs, indicating a significant step forward in the professional football journey.

  4. 1999 – 2003: Representative of the University Football Team, Vilnius – Lithuania Academic Sports Success: Successfully represented the University Football Team while pursuing academic studies, demonstrating a commitment to both education and sports excellence.

  5. 1999 – 2003: Key Player for Vilnius Foreign Football Club (Second League, Lithuania) Leadership on Foreign Soil: Displayed leadership and football prowess while playing a pivotal role for the Vilnius Foreign Football Club, which participated in Lithuania’s highly competitive Second League.