Arab Youth Athletics Championships: Tunisia hosts third successive edition

World
Europe

In athletics -- Tunisia has successfully organized the Arab Youth Athletics Championships for a third successive edition. The just concluded event in Tunis had a record number of participating countries this year and CGTN's Adnen Chaouachi recaps it for us.

The event was held in the Olympic Stadium of Rades in Tunis. Over 400 athletes representing 14 countries took part in the sporting event.

SARRA TABOUBI EVENT ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CHIEF "Young athletes have only this tournament to prove themselves and to show their performance. These championships are the fruit of 1 year of preparation."

Organizers noted that some delegations did not travel to Tunisia due to financial and logistical difficulties. Tunisian athletes held the flags of Libya, Djibouti and Somalia during the parade, but the athletes from these 2 African and Arab countries were absent.

FATHI HACHICHA TUNISIAN ATHLETICS FEDERATION "Theses delegations did not have the necessary financial resources to pay for the trip of their athletes and the technical staff, in addition to security concerns. It is unfortunate for these young and talented people who miss the opportunity."

The President of the Arab Athletics Federation said that his competition will help young athletes prepare for the upcoming events, especially the 2024 and 2028 Olympics.

AHMAD FADHEL ARAB ATHLETICS FEDERATION PRESIDENT "The Arab Athletics Federation wants to help athletes from countries, with limited resources to participate but this is difficult. It's a huge responsibility and an expensive project. We must look together for ways of offering the same chances to all Arab athletes."

Tunisia finished 4th at the end of the 7th Arab Youth Athletics Championships U16 and U17, totaling 21 medals. Morocco won the championships with 23 medals, followed by Egypt, 17 medals and Algeria 24 medals.

ADNEN CHAOUACHI TUNIS "According to the Arab Athletics Federation, young athletes travel to neighboring Arab and African countries to learn and to get acquainted with the spirit of international tournaments. Organizers hope that athletes from Djibouti, Somalia and Libya will be present in the 8th edition of the championships. AC, CGTN, Tunis."