Ghofrane Al-Jelassi Crowned Champion of the 08th ‘Arab Reading Challenge’ in Tunisia

The Arab Reading Challenge has crowned student Ghofrane Al Jelassi as the champion of its eighth edition at the Tunisian level, at the conclusion of competitions in which 117,235 students from 1,009 schools participated, under the supervision of 5,200 male and female reading supervisors.


Ghofrane Al Jelassi, a 10th-grade student at the Al Nahda Institute in Zaghouan, was crowned during the closing ceremony of the eighth edition of the Arab Reading Challenge, hosted by Tunis in the presence of Dr. Salwa Al Abbasi, Minister of Education in Tunisia, Dr. Iman Ahmed Al Salami, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia, and Dr. Fawzan Al Khalidi, Director of Programs and Initiatives at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, as well as a number of officials and educators in charge of the Arab Reading Challenge initiative, parents of the competitors, and a large number of male and female students from Tunisia.


During the closing ceremony of the eighth session, Sanaa Al-Zarrad from Monastir was honored after winning the title of “Distinguished Supervisor”, and “Manzel Salem Preparatory School” from El Kef was honored after winning the title of “Distinguished School”, while the Reading Challenge crowned Louay Al-Sharif, a tenth-grade student at “Al-Noor Institute for the Blind, Bir Al-Qassaa” affiliated with the Ben Arous region, as the champion of Tunisia in the category of people of determination.

The eighth session of the Arab Reading Challenge, the largest reading event of its kind in the Arabic language in the world, achieved record numbers, as participation in the current session reached 28.2 million male and female students from 50 countries representing 229,620 schools, under the supervision of 154,643 supervisors.


10 students advanced to the final rounds at the Tunisian level, including student Ghofrane Al-Jelassi, winner of the challenge title, “Aya Babou from the eleventh grade at the Sakiet Ezzit Model Institute in the Sfax 2 region, Mohamed Amr Al-Badawi from the sixth grade at the Imam Ibn Arafa School “Tunis 2”, Anas Al-Nawali from the eleventh grade at the Manzel Jemil Institute “Bizerte”, Hanin Al-Kouki from the eleventh grade at the Model Institute “Beja”, Baraa Ben Jalila from the eleventh grade at the Tozeur Institute “Qebli”, Nourssine Belaid from the eighth grade at the Model Preparatory School “Sfax 1”, Youssef Salmi from the fifth grade at the “02 March 1934” School – Ariana -, Amina Bint Sami Halas from the eleventh grade at the Saleh Bin Youssef Institute in Al-Qasr “Al-Kaf”, and Arej Hamouda from the seventh grade at the Model Preparatory School “Monastir”.

Her Excellency Dr. Salwa Al-Abassi, Minister of Education in the Republic of Tunisia, said: “The Arab Reading Challenge is a major civilizational project and a very important initiative in consolidating the status of the Arabic language and enhancing its presence in the daily use of rising generations, and in enriching Arab cultural life, which we witnessed during the eighth session in terms of the great turnout and interaction from Tunisian students and participating countries in general. This is a new achievement for the initiative, which has become, in a short period, a prominent mark in the Arab cultural and educational scene, and in strengthening communication between students in Arab countries.”


Her Excellency added: “I congratulate everyone who won and participated in the Arab Reading Challenge in the country, and I especially congratulate the fathers and mothers of students who had the greatest impact in encouraging their children to participate. I also extend my thanks to every Tunisian man and woman who contributes and supports the promotion of cultural activities within our educational institutions at the national level.”


She appreciated the great efforts made by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation to make the qualifiers for the eighth round in the Tunisian Republic a success, and the level of coordination and cooperation between the Foundation, the Ministry of Education, and all parties and bodies concerned with educational and cultural affairs in Tunisia.

For his part, Dr. Abdul Karim Sultan Al Olama, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, stressed that the Arab Reading Challenge continues to move steadily towards achieving its mission of creating a renaissance in reading by reaching all male and female students in Arab countries, as well as members of Arab communities in foreign countries and non-native learners of Arabic, and by constantly working to create a generation of distinguished and creative individuals capable of innovation in all fields, which will positively reflect on the present and future of the Arab world.


He said, “Once again, the Arab Reading Challenge proves that it is a unique platform for discovering promising Arab talents and inspiring millions of Arab students to exert more efforts in reading, learning and honing their skills. This is what we witnessed during the qualifiers for the eighth round of the challenge at the level of participating countries, including the sisterly Republic of Tunisia, where its students showed great interaction during the competitions and insisted on presenting an honorable image of the cultural and educational reality in Tunisia.”


Dr. Abdul Karim Sultan Al-Ulama congratulated the winners at the conclusion of the eighth round of qualifiers at the level of the Tunisian Republic, their families and schools, the Ministry of Education and all educational cadres.

The Arab Reading Challenge, organized by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, and launched in its first session in the 2015-2016 academic year under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aims to enhance the importance of reading among participating students across the Arab world and the world, develop mechanisms for comprehension and self-expression in correct Arabic, and develop creative thinking skills, with the aim of enriching the cognitive content available in Arabic.


The challenge also aims to enhance the importance of cognitive reading in building self-learning skills and building the value system for young people by exposing them to the values, customs and beliefs of other cultures, which instills the principles of tolerance and coexistence.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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TUNISIA

EGYPT : PARIS OLYMPICS 2024: Fencer Mohamed El-Sayed wins Egypt’s first medal in 2024 Paris Olympics

Egypt’s first medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics came on Sunday when fencer Mohamed El-Sayed scooped bronze in the Men’s Epee Individual event.

The 21-year-old took the prize following a hard-fought 8-7 win over Hungary’s Tibor Andrasfi.

He started his journey by beating Colombian fencer Jhon Rodríguez 15-7, before taking down Italy’s Santarelli 15-10 and then taking victory over Belgium’s Neisser Loyola 9-8 in the quarterfinal.

In the semi-final, El-Sayed lost to Frenchman and world number three Yannick Borel 15-9, before facing Andrasfi in the play-off.

This is Egypt’s second medal in fencing after Alaa Aboulkassem took silver at the London Olympics in 2012.

Egypt has sent its largest-ever team to Paris for this year’s Games, with its delegation numbering 149 competitors.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Paris 2024 Olympics – Fencing – Men’s Epee Individual Bronze Medal Bout – Grand Palais, Paris, France – July 28, 2024. Mohamed Elsayed of Egypt celebrates with Egypt flag after winning his bronze medal bout against Tibor Ferenc Andrasfi of Hungary. REUTERS/Albert Gea

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EGYPT

SAUDI ARABIA : Record-breaking order of up to 100 Lilium Jets for Saudia Group

The Saudia Group has placed an industry-leading order of up to 100 Lilium Jets, the largest commitment in the eVTOL sector by an airline operator, with a firm order of 50 units augmented by options for 50 more.

The Saudia Group has placed an industry-leading order of up to 100 Lilium Jets, the largest commitment in the eVTOL sector by an airline operator, with a firm order of 50 units augmented by options for 50 more.

The first units are expected to be delivered in 2026, while the agreement also encompasses a schedule of deposit and pre-delivery payments, a timeline of future deliveries, guarantees on aircraft performance, and provisions of spare parts, maintenance and repairs.

The agreement – which builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the parties of October 2022 –  “marks the largest of its kind in the MENA region and represents an important industry milestone as the largest reported firm order of eVTOL aircraft by an airline that plans to operate the aircraft,” explained Lilium.

“Saudia Group is proud to pioneer the MENA region as the first company to acquire all-electric eVTOL jets,” commented H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of Saudia Group. “This agreement amplified our commitment to the Saudi Vision 2030 and is the result of a collaborative effort… to explore how we can best bring eVTOLs to the skies of Saudi Arabia”.

When in service, operation of the six-passenger Lilium Jets will be managed and run by Saudia Private, a subsidiary of Saudia Group. Lilium adds that the enhanced connectivity offered by its aircraft will benefit business travellers, tourists, and Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages; travelling up to 175km at speeds of up to 250km per hour.

“The Middle East is a priority for Lilium, and Saudi Arabia will be a very large and exciting market for electric, high-speed regional air mobility,” said Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium. “Our partnership will combine Saudia Group’s significant market knowledge with our unique eVTOL technology to transform premium class air travel in the GCC region”.

source/content: aerospaceglobalnews.com (headline edited)

TUNISIA: PARIS OLYMPICS 2024: Fares Ferjani Wins Silver for First Arab medal at Paris Olympics 2024

Ferjani claims glory in men’s individual sabre on Saturday.

Tunisia’s Fares Ferjani claimed a superb silver medal in the men’s individual sabre at the Paris Olympics on Saturday night.

Ferjani, 27, put up a brave fight but ultimately fell short, losing 15-11 in the gold medal bout against South Korea’s Oh Sang-uk.

The Korean fencer opened up a 2-0 lead but Ferjani stayed within reach at 6-4 down. Oh then stretched his lead to 11-4 to close in on gold.

A point that would have won Oh the gold was overturned on review. Ferjani then won five more points before Oh could close out the win. It denied Ferjani what would have been the first fencing gold for an African nation.

Still, it was a memorable day for Ferjani as he secured the first medal for Arab nations at the games. He can reflect on an excellent effort having already beaten Egypt’s world number one Ziad El Sissy in the semi-finals.

It was a tough day for El Sissy who had set his sights on gold. After losing to Ferjani, El Sissy was hoping to secure bronze for his efforts.

But he lost out in his bronze medal match against Italy’s Luigi Samele. El Sissy made a slow start but turned an early deficit into a 5-3 lead. Samele then blazed to a 8-6 lead, pushing the advantage to 11-8.

The momentum was with the Italian and he wrapped up a 15-12 victory despite a late rally from the Egyptian.

Over in football, Argentina got their Olympics campaign back on track as they defeated Iraq 3-1 in Lyon.

Pre-tournament favorites Argentina suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Morocco in their opening Group B game – a match marred by a pitch invasion from Moroccan fans and a two-hour delay.

Thiago Almada, who Argentina coach Javier Mascherano said had a watch stolen when the team’s training base was robbed earlier this week, opened the scoring with a volley in the 14th minute at Stade de Lyon.

Iraq then threatened to pull off another surprise when Aymen Hussein levelled the game in first-half stoppage time. But goals from Luciano Gondou and Ignacio Fernandez secured victory for Argentina.

Gondou’s far-post header in the 62nd minute restored Argentina’s lead and Fernandez curled in a long-range shot from the edge of the box.

In the other Group B match, 10-man Ukraine claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over Morocco in Saint-Etienne.

Dmytro Kryskiv put Ukraine ahead after 22 minutes before Morocco’s Soufiane Rahimi, who scored twice against Argentina, equalised from the penalty spot in the 64th minute with Volodymyr Saliuk sent off.

Igor Krasnopir, however, grabbed a late winner in the final seconds of the game to hand Ukraine their first Olympic triumph.

However, unlike Morocco’s opener against Argentina that was marred by crowd trouble, there were no such issues on Saturday.

In tennis, weather played spoilsport as Tunisian Moez Echargui‘s opening match against Dan Evans of England and Lebanon player Benjamin Hassan’s clash with Chris Eubanks of the US were postponed due to rain.

However, fellow Lebanese Hady Habib put his best foot forward and produced a commendable effort against Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros in men’s singles.

Despite being a late replacement in the draw for the injured Hubert Hurkacz, Habib gave a good account of himself in a 6-3, 6-1 first round defeat to the Spaniard.

Table tennis veteran Dina Meshref of Egypt had a forgettable day.

Meshref, competing in her fourth Olympics, played in mixed doubles with Omar Assar. But the duo comfortably lost 4-0 to the Chinese pair of Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuquin.

Meshref will now have to focus on the singles event on Sunday where she faces Maria Xiao of Spain.

Also, Jordanian lightweight Obada Al Kasbeh made a victorious start to the Games in the 63kg category as he defeated Ireland’s Dean Clancy 3-2 in the round of 32.

Al Kasbeh progresses to the last 16 where he will face home medal hope Sofiane Oumiha of France, who received a bye in the opening round.

Oumiha is a former European and world champion and is among the favourites for gold.

source/content: thenationalnews.com (headline edited)

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TUNISIA

SUDAN : Last male of his kind: The last male northern white rhino that became a conservation icon

Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino, died in 2018. In his final years, he became a global celebrity and conservation icon, helping raise awareness about the brutality of poaching.

There was a lot of hope riding on Sudan, the last male northern white rhinoceros. He was labelled the “world’s most eligible bachelor” by the dating app Tinder, the “most famous rhino” by various news outlets and a “gentle giant” by the armed guards who watched over him 24-hours-a-day. But Sudan’s life carried the baggage of a species decimated by poaching.

In the Ol Pejeta conservancy at the foot of Mount Kenya, AFP photojournalist Tony Karumba captured a celebrated snapshot of Sudan on 5 December 2016, approximately 15 months before the rhino’s death.

At the forefront of Karumba’s image is the tender relationship between the humans at the conservancy and Sudan. The photo is iconic but not iconoclastic, exemplifying an ordinary moment of the all-too-late-yet-genuine care that northern white rhinos received from the species that decimated them. Once lost, gone forever, only to live in photos like Karumba’s photo series. 

As Sudan was released from his pen to pasture, Karumba captured his pictures. “There’s trust and love all over that moment,” says Karumba. “Being in Sudan’s presence always felt for me like a visit with a sage; his demeanour, despite his behemoth self, had a way of conveying a calm patience with me and though his minders would always be hovering just outside my camera’s frame, he [Sudan] was accepting of my wary intrusions and poised as though he was aware of his symbolism as the last icon of his subspecies.”

The photo showcases Sudan’s craniate profile and his two horns, a trait characterising the white rhino subspecies, shaved off to deter poachers. Sudan’s carer calms the two-and-a-half-tonned (2,500 kg)animal, whose head is longer than the man’s torso. Karumba’s vantage, his low viewpoint on Sudan, “emphasised the power and the stature of the rhino,” says Michael Pritchard, programmes director at the Royal Photographic Society in the UK.

“The power of this photograph is the interaction between this impressive animal and this human,” says Pritchard. “There’s a kindness, a relationship.”

source/content: bbc.com / (Riley Farrell)/ (headline edited)

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Tony Karumba’s photo of Sudan with his carer made the rhino a global sensation in his final year (Credit: Getty Images)

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SUDAN

MIDDLE EAST : Top Guinness World Records set in the Middle East

The region continues to break barriers.

When it comes to breaking barriers, the Middle East has certainly made its remarkable mark in the Guinness World Records. For 2023 alone, the region has emerged as an exceptional participant, with 50 records on the world stage out of 40,000 applicants globally.

Here, we identify some of the amazing Guinness World Records set in the Middle East.

World records in the Middle East

Saudi Arabia’s impressive feats

Among the many marvels from Saudi Arabia, we witness an array of unusual feats and creations. Noteworthy accomplishments include:

  • Largest LED Structure and Brightest Suspended Ornament by Noor Riyadh Festival
  • Largest Lego Brick Formula 1 Car by Saudi Arabia Motor Federation
  • Most LED Lights in a Display by MDLBEAST
  • Most Simultaneous Pepper’s Ghost Illusions of a Person by Riyadh Season and General Entertainment Authority, featuring pan-Arab celebrity singer Mohammed Abdo
  • Largest Mirrored Building for Maraya by The Royal Commission for AlUla
  • Largest Clock Face by Makkah Clock Tower
  • Tallest Lighthouse by Jeddah Port Control Tower
  • Largest Geodesic Dome by Jeddah Superdome

UAE’s record-setting achievements

Furthermore, the UAE enlightened the world with its humanitarian world records in the Middle East. Its contributory efforts range from:

  • Longest Live-Stream (video) by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and pan Arab influencer Hassan Suleiman (AboFlah)
  • Largest Donation For A Patient’s Medical Treatment by Emirates Red Crescent
  • Most Awareness Ribbons Made In One Hour (team) by Emirates Oncology Society
  • First 3D-printed Laboratory by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)
  • Largest Synchronized Car Dance by Sony PlayStation Middle East
  • Most Contributions To A Color By Numbers by Farah Experiences for Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
  • Largest Inflatable Aqua Park by Aqua Fun
  • Tallest Building for Burj Khalifa
  • Longest Zip Wire by RAK Tourism Authority for Toro Verde
  • Deepest Swimming Pool For Diving by Deep Dive Dubai
  • Tallest Hotel for Gevora Hotel

Unique records across Egypt and Iraq

Meanwhile, Egypt and Iraq have set their own unique world records, making it clear that talent and creativity know no borders.

Egypt

  • Mohamed Shehata for the widest arm span on a living person (male) and the widest hand span on a living person (male)
  • Mahmoud Ayoub for one of his 30+ records for the most fingertip pushups (one arm) in one minute
  • Al Ahly Sporting Club for the most wins of the CAF Champions League
  • Heaviest chandelier by Asfour Crystal International S.A.E.

Iraq

  • Largest pin-and-thread art by Saeed Howidi
  • Most eggs balanced on the back of hand (18 eggs)
  • Tallest stack of M&M’s by Ibrahim Sadeq

A showcase of talent from Kuwait to Lebanon

Similarly, Kuwait showcased its unique talents, with LOOPZ achieving the record for the longest indoor slide. Additionally, Yousef Al Refaie accomplished another impressive feat as the youngest person to climb the Seven Volcanic Summits.

In Jordan, another record was broken in the para-sports sector, with Abdelkareem Khatab performing the heaviest powerlift. Further, in Morocco, Ayoub Taoube rightfully earned his title for the most single-leg backward somersaults in 30 seconds.

Moving on to Lebanon, we find Dareen Barbar, a resilient Lebanese athlete who lost her leg at the age of 15. Despite this, Barbar achieved the world record in the Middle East for the longest Samson’s chair or static wall sit.

Triumphs from Qatar to Syria

In Qatar, incredible feats were achieved on multiple fronts:

  • Ahmed Al Shahrani set the world record for the fastest crossing of Qatar by wheelchair
  • Doha Oasis Quest amazed with its EpiQ, the world’s tallest indoor rollercoaster
  • The Embassy of India in Qatar united people from all over the world by organizing a yoga lesson that broke the record for the most nationalities in a single yoga session

These records from Qatar reiterate the country’s commitment to inclusivity and overcoming adversity, staying true to the essence of the world-record Middle East achievements.

Meanwhile, all the way in Syria, we find determination personified in the achievement of Mohhamad Feido. This record-breaker executed the most knuckle push-ups while carrying a 40-lb pack in just three minutes—an inspiring testament to his physical strength and tenacity.

From food to the faithful in Algeria

Moving westward, we discover the incredible achievements of Algeria. The International Fair of Algiers birthed the world’s largest Bowl of Couscous, showcasing the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

Adding a spiritual dimension to the world record Middle East landscape, Djamaa el Djazair achieved one for the tallest minaret. It is an iconic symbol of faith, which now stands as another feather in the Algerian World Record cap.

Striking features from Bahrain to Sudan

Heading south, Bahrain beckons with an intriguing record of its own. Adam Saeed, in a true test of geographical knowledge, clinched the record for identifying the most countries by their outline. This achievement broadened the scope of the world record Middle East phenomenon, demonstrating the intellectual prowess that the region harbors.

Symmetrically resonating with Bahrain’s brainy record, Sudan steps up to the plate with the intriguing achievement of Ramdan Rahma. Accordingly, he made an extraordinary record in the impairment classification records for the most penalty kicks achieved in a single hour.

Final thoughts

These fascinating accomplishments not only present individual brilliance but also paint a vivid picture of the devotion, tenacity, and unity that bind the Middle East.

With each world record in the Middle East, these nations inspire people worldwide and prove that talent and creativity know no boundaries.

source/content: economymiddleeast.com (headline edited)

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MIDDLE EAST

SAUDI ARABIA sets new US$38 billion tourism record

Vision 2030 drives Saudi’s tourism growth.

According to Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Saudi Arabia has welcomed 60 million visitors spending SAR143 billion (US$38.1 billion) in the first half of 2024.

This underscores the significant progress made by the Kingdom’s tourism sector and sets a new benchmark.

At a press conference, the Minister said: “Our country is blessed with a multiplicity of tourist destinations and climate diversity, the moderate weather that the Aseer region enjoys during the summer season and low temperatures compared to most cities in the world.”

Al-Khateeb added that visitors could enjoy diverse attractions, from historic villages to farms rich in local products, along with delicious cuisine telling stories of the past.

The third Aseer Season, running until September 1, is expected to attract substantial visitor interest with its cultural experiences. Key attractions in the Aseer region include Rijal Alma and Shada Palace Museum, alongside Soudah Peaks, the highest point in the Kingdom at 3,015 meters above sea level, which serves as a sustainable luxury destination.

Saudi’s growing market

Al-Khateeb attributed the tourism sector’s growth to Vision 2030, which includes initiatives like the National Tourism Strategy launched in 2019 and the introduction of a tourist visa. He also highlighted the collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism, King Khalid University, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University in establishing the Bachelor of International Hospitality Management program. This partnership aims to enhance the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality education.

Al-Khateeb said: “Our goal is to develop tourism capabilities and expand international specialized technical colleges and strategic partnership institutes in the field of tourism and hospitality.”

In addition, the Minister announced plans for 10,000 training opportunities in the Aseer region’s tourism sector, domestically and internationally.

The National Tourism Strategy targets over 150 million local and international visitors by 2030, up from 109 million in 2023.

Al-Khateeb further shared: “The Tourism Development Fund plays an important role in providing financing, allocating SAR7.4 billion to enable over 100 tourism projects around the Kingdom with a value exceeding SAR35 billion.”

This financial support is expected to stimulate tourism development and enhance Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading global travel destination.

source/content: hoteliermiddleeast.com (headline edited)

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Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Alkhateeb

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SAUDI ARABIA

OMANI firm RAID invents innovative robot for cleaning solar cells

Acting in cooperation with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), an Oman-based firm named RAID (Robotics & AI Development) launched a solar cell cleaning robot.

The innovation is a local device that aims to improve the efficiency and sustainability of solar power plants by automatically cleaning solar cells when deemed necessary.

Abdulrahman Affan Al Hajji, Head of RAID Company, said that the solar cell cleaning robot is a unique innovation designed and manufactured locally to clean vast solar cell stations with high efficiency.

Al Hajji added that the project aims to minimise human effort and avoid potential risks involved in manual cleaning operations.

Al Hajji pointed out that the robot was tested at PDO and that the outcome was ‘high efficiency’.

The unit cleaned more than 700 solar panels, with the robot emerging as an ideal device for operating in all weather conditions.

This, he observed, would ensure sustainability in performance, based on the fact that this technology contributes to reducing the volume of water used in cleaning, increasing the productivity of solar energy units and diminishing dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

source/content: timesofoman.com (headline edited)

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OMAN

MOROCCO / EGYPT: Wins ‘Arab U23 Athletics Championships’ held in Ismailia, Egypt

Morocco topped the podium at the Arab U23 Athletics Championships held in Ismailia, Egypt, on July 5-9, winning the championship for the second consecutive time with a total of 32 medals.

Morocco’s medal tally includes 16 gold, 11 silver, and 5 bronze, ahead of host Egypt with a total of 39 medals (12 gold, 16 silver, and 11 bronze) and Algeria with 15 medals (6 gold, 9 bronze).

The championship featured the participation of athletes from 12 Arab countries.

source/content: barlamantoday.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO / EGYPT

QATAR : Record Number of Competing Athletes and Countries Set to Make Doha a Remarkable 21st edtion World Aquatics Championships

Doha 2024 is slated to break records with the highest number of competing athletes and countries in its 21-edition history as Qatar hosts the flagship aquatics competition for the first time from 2 to 18 February 2024.

The records were announced during a joint press conference held by World Aquatics and the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 Local Organising Committee on the eve of the event. More than 2,600 athletes representing 201 countries and the World Aquatics Refugee Team are in Doha to compete in 75 medal events across six aquatic sports. Having qualification spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on offer adds additional excitement and intrigue to the upcoming event.

Four of the sports will see a record number of participating countries, including swimming, and three will see a record number of competing athletes. Among the athletes are USA’s artistic swimming World Champion Bill May ; defending high diving world champion, Constantin Popovici from Romania; captain of the reigning women’s water polo world champions, Sabrina van der Sloot of the Netherlands; Canada’s Pan American Games gold medallist springboard diver, Pamela Ware; and USA’s two-time world junior open water swimming champion, Katie Grimes.

The five athletes attended the opening press conference where they expressed their excitement for the World Aquatics Championships and praised the quality of the venues in Doha.

The six aquatic sports will take place at three venues across Doha, including the state-of-the-art Aspire Dome (swimming, water polo, artistic swimming) – the biggest aquatic sports complex in the world.

The Hamad Aquatic Centre (diving) and Old Doha Port (open water swimming, high diving) will also host competitions providing a spectacular backdrop for the world’s best athletes.

Speaking ahead of the World Aquatics Championships, World Aquatics President Husain Al Musallam said:

“We are delighted to be in Doha for the World Aquatics Championships. Qatar has proven itself as an excellent host of major sports events and we are very confident that athletes will be provided with the very best conditions to compete. Already we have received positive feedback from athletes who are excited for competitions to get underway. As the first time this region has hosted the World Aquatics Championships, we are also excited by the role the event can play in extending our reach and ensuring everyone can participate, compete in and benefit from aquatic sports.”

Doha 2024 Director General Khaleel Al Jabir said: “The World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 will be a unique celebration of aquatics sports and Qatar’s rich heritage. It is fitting that these Championships are set to break records for participation reinforcing the importance of this event. We are humbled that more athletes, and more countries, than ever before have opted to compete in these Championships. We have no doubt that they will entertain the thousands of spectators in attendance and inspire the next generation of aquatic athletes.”

source/content: worldacquatics. com (headline edited)

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World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 - Day 0 - Opening Press Conference _Medium Res Image_m62458

 Image Source: Sports leaders and top aquatics athletes at the opening press conference (Istvan Derencsenyi/World Aquatics)

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QATAR