Founders
Dr. Zeina Mina
Dr.Georges Assaf
Dr.Georges Assaf
A former Olympic athlete (Los Angeles 1984) and PhD holder in Sport Sciences, Zeina Mina has dedicated her career to advancing sports education and high-performance sport.
She served as Ministerial Advisor (2006–2008), Director of the Games of La Francophonie held in Beirut in 2009, Dean of the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Antonine Univers
A former Olympic athlete (Los Angeles 1984) and PhD holder in Sport Sciences, Zeina Mina has dedicated her career to advancing sports education and high-performance sport.
She served as Ministerial Advisor (2006–2008), Director of the Games of La Francophonie held in Beirut in 2009, Dean of the Faculty of Sport Sciences at Antonine University (2009–2019), and Director of the International Committee of the Games of La Francophonie, a subsidiary body of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (2019–2025).
A visionary entrepreneur, she founded a unique ecosystem in Lebanon: Performance First (performance and rehabilitation center), the Sports Academy School (SAS) (the first technical sports school in Lebanon), and the Continuous Education Center (CCE), now also established in Dubai.
She is also the founder of the NGO Lebanese Young Talent (LYT), dedicated to youth integration through sport.
Convinced that sport is a powerful lever for education, social cohesion, and diplomacy, Zeina Mina works to expand this innovative model across the MENA region and the Francophonie.
Dr.Georges Assaf
Dr.Georges Assaf
Dr.Georges Assaf
Dr. Georges Assaf is a sports physiologist and high-performance coach who has collaborated with numerous elite athletes and professional teams across the Arab world, including several national squads in football and basketball. He currently serves as an Olympic Coach for track-and-field athletes, guiding competitors through evidence-based
Dr. Georges Assaf is a sports physiologist and high-performance coach who has collaborated with numerous elite athletes and professional teams across the Arab world, including several national squads in football and basketball. He currently serves as an Olympic Coach for track-and-field athletes, guiding competitors through evidence-based preparation, competition peaking, and injury-risk management.
Dr. Assaf holds a Doctorate in Sports Physiology from the University of Kinesiology in Zagreb. His work bridges science and practice, integrating physiological testing, individualized training prescriptions, and recovery strategies, o help athletes reach international podium standards. Equally committed to team environments and one-to-one coaching, he partners with federations, clubs, and medical staff to align performance goals with athlete welfare and long-term development.
Joe Naimeh
Dr.Georges Assaf
Joe Naimeh
Joe Naimeh is the Co-Founder of Performance First Gym (PF) and the Sports Academy School (SAS), Lebanon’s leading institution for sports education and training.
With a Master’s in International Business Economics from City University London and a DUEPP from Université de Lyon, he combines academic expertise with entrepreneurial leadership
Joe Naimeh is the Co-Founder of Performance First Gym (PF) and the Sports Academy School (SAS), Lebanon’s leading institution for sports education and training.
With a Master’s in International Business Economics from City University London and a DUEPP from Université de Lyon, he combines academic expertise with entrepreneurial leadership to advance sports education in the region.
Under his direction, PF and SAS have expanded their scope through new accreditations, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships. Today, Joe is focused on driving innovation and regional expansion across the MENA region, positioning PF and SAS as pioneers in building sustainable platforms for sports performance and professional development.