Former football star Ronaldinho visits Lebanon to show solidarity with victims of port blast
July 31, 2021, 2:57 am

Ronaldinho

The Middle East Eye reported that former football star Ronaldo de Assis Moreira - commonly known as Ronaldinho - visited Lebanon this week ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Beirut port blast, with his presence causing a stir online and on the streets.

Ronaldinho landed in Beirut on 28 July with the aim of showing solidarity with victims of the explosion, which killed at least 200 people and devastated entire neighbourhoods of the Lebanese capital, and meeting with different associations involved in relief and rebuilding efforts.

He laid flowers at the Beirut fire brigade headquarters in remembrance of civil defense members killed by the 2020 Beirut explosion.

Ronaldinho laid flowers at the Beirut fire brigade headquarters

The star was greeted by members of the Beirut fire brigade, families of the victims and dozens of fans.

According to the Middle East Eye, the atmosphere at the event turned hectic, though, as journalists, photographers and fans clamoured to see Ronaldinho. In response, members of the fire brigade pushed back a number of cameramen and journalists, leading to cameras being smashed at the scene.

According to Lebanon's Syndicate of Photographers, at least five reporters were targeted during the scuffle. The head of the syndicate, Aziz Taher, issued a statement strongly condemning what he called an “attack” on photographers and media professionals.

“With respect for the role of the fire brigade and its sacrifices, we strongly reject and condemn the brutal and unjustified attack by members of the fire brigade,” he said.

Taher also urged the Beirut fire brigade leadership and authorities to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.

Hossam Shabaro, a cameraman for Lebanon 24 who was involved in the incident, said that "a stampede occurred between the photographers and members of the regiment, and the cameras of a number of photographers were damaged".

The incident was not the only one to raise eyebrows during Ronaldinho's trip.

That same day, Egyptian actress Abeer Sabry posted photographs on Instagram showing her posing at a party with a group of people that included the footballer.

The caption of one of the posts read: “A celebration in solidarity with the beloved Beirut and those injured at the port, with the Brazilian Ronaldinho and Elham Shahin.”

For many social media users, both the event and Sabry's social media post were deemed insensitive, as Lebanon continues to reel from the impact of the explosion that left an estimated 300,000 people homeless, in addition to a crippling economic crisis, continued political deadlock, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Source: MME
Image source: AFP-MME

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.