Ahmed Labban set to kickstart Invictus campaign

Sport360 staff 12:59 28/05/2015
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  • Fulfilling his dream: Ahmed Labban

    Ten athletes from all over the world world will compete for the 2015 Invictus Award by Paco Rabanne, aiming to win Dhs 206,000 (€50,000) for their respective sporting charity projects.

    This year sees the first ever Invictus Award competitor from the Middle East: Ahmed Labban, a kickboxer from Lebanon.

    Each of the competitors for the Invictus Award has a different story to tell and a different charity project as their motivation.

    From building street workout playgrounds in Russia to opening a high diving centre in Mexico and creating a kayaking school for disabled children in Spain – there are a rich variety of projects being fought for.

    It is kickboxing that drives Beirut-born Ahmed and the prospect of opening a sports centre in his native Lebanon is the inspiration behind his participation in the third series of the Invictus Award.

    “My love for kickboxing made me interested in this project, and that love is what keeps me motivated to implement it,” Ahmed tells Sport360.

    “I want to create a project that I can succeed in, and for me to succeed I have to work on something that I am passionate about.

    “Kickboxing is the thing that I love the most so it made sense to have this as my goal.”

    With so many worthy causes on the line in this year’s Invictus Award, it will be difficult for global fans to pick their winner but Ahmed is hoping that his idea will inspire people in the Middle East and further afield to vote for him.

    “What makes my idea special is that it is based on charity and kickboxing. Kickboxing is a distinctive and unique sport,” Ahmed explains.

    “It is a mixture of challenges: focus, ambition and triumph combined with respect for rivals. That is why I think my project will stand out.”

    “This has been my childhood dream ever since I started kickboxing. I wanted to build a centre and implement my own ideas.”

    Ahmed first began kickboxing as a youngster, primarily as a form of self-defence when he was picked on at school.

    Now a supremely confident and well-honed athlete, the 24-year-old is hoping that he can pass on both his technique and tenacity to a new generation.

    “Everyone will be welcomed at the centre, though the conditions will depend on the abilities of the subscribers and their true desire of success and development.”

    “A major aspect will be the free section which will encourage the underprivileged to learn kickboxing by using free services. I need to plan everything well for me to work out the right formula.”

    “I haven’t yet decided on the name and I will need to think carefully about it to ensure that it will be special and unique. I want our place to be distinguished from other centres that are available across Lebanon and will need a name that reflects my goals.”

    With nine other rivals for the Invictus Award, Ahmed will have his work cut out facing off in gruelling challenges including mountain biking, rock climbing and a desert/jungle race.

    But beyond the physical exertion of the competition, it is the ethos of Invictus that is most important to him.

    “The best thing that Invictus has offered is questioning us on what our dreams and wishes are in life,” Ahmed concludes.

    “I’m not the only one who has been inspired – everyone else who is competing is motivated.”

    “Invictus urges us to focus and to fight fairly for the sake of serving the community, it’s a great message.”

    Online users can watch the videos of the candidates in action on the dedicated digital platform – www.pacorabanne.com/invictus – as well as here on Sport360.com.

    From June 1, for one month, the public will be able to vote for their favourite athlete, with the winner announced on July 2 at a gala evening in Paris.

    Who will prevail as champion? Who will claim the winning prize and carry out their project? See how the competition progresses with Sport360.

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