The streets of Beirut in 1975 were a far cry from the glitz of Manchester's Hard Rock Casino, where one man's unlikely journey to foosball stardom began. For this restaurateur, who now calls Zaytoon in Manchester home, it was a war-torn childhood that shaped his future – and sparked an unrelenting passion for the game that would take him to dizzying heights.
It all started when, aged 12, he stumbled upon a humble amusement arcade across the street from his besieged home. The small price of entry (20 pence, or 'qurush' in local currency) was a tiny barrier for this enterprising youngster, who soon found himself making deals with the arcade owner to clean tables in exchange for free play. Hours were spent honing skills amidst the cacophony of gunfire and explosions outside – a surreal backdrop to his burgeoning talent.
Fast-forward to Manchester, where he settled with his British wife in 1986. Foosball remained a personal obsession, only resurfacing as a competitive force in 2004 when he installed tables at the Hard Rock Casino and issued a 'Beat the Manager' challenge – one that he consistently dominated. Weekly showdowns drew up to 30 players, but this man's winning streak was as unstoppable as it was underwhelming for his opponents.
His talent didn't go unnoticed for long. A decisive victory over Khalid Sharif, then the UK's top foosball player, earned him an invite to join Britfoos – the British Foosball Association. This marked a seismic shift into the professional scene, where he formed a formidable partnership with Sharif himself, playing as striker to his goalie as they tore across the country for official matches.
Representing Team GB in 2012's World Cup in Hamburg was an experience that left him awestruck – alongside 35 competing nations, 200 tables, and national anthems aplenty. But it was four years later in St Pölten, Austria, where he truly shone. His team defeated Germany in a nail-biting penalty shootout to take home the gold medal at the ITSF World Series – the pinnacle of his remarkable journey.
Today, at 62, this unlikely champion still runs Zaytoon and remains as deeply immersed in foosball as ever. With regular practice sessions alongside his son, George (a talented goalie with a knack for fitness training), he's now taking on the world – and cementing an enduring legacy that transcends borders and generations.