The Tunisian region of Ariana is gearing up for the 2026-2027 sports season, but faces challenges in its sports infrastructure. A commission comprising representatives from various authorities, including the regional youth and sports commission, security services, health, equipment, civil protection, and municipalities, conducted inspections to identify areas for improvement. The inspections, which began in late June, uncovered several shortcomings, primarily related to safety, hygiene, and maintenance.
The identified shortcomings include problems with electrical installations in certain halls, insufficiently high fences in some stadiums, and the presence of stones and hard materials near fields. Health services reported poor ventilation in some locker rooms, humidity, and broken windows that could pose a danger to users. Civil protection services also noted anomalies in the condition of certain stands and fences, including cracked structures or those at risk of collapse.
Following the initial inspections, reports were submitted to the concerned municipalities, which were given until August to carry out the necessary repairs. A second series of inspections was conducted in late August and early September to assess the progress of the repairs. According to Mourad Mellouli, the regional youth and sports commissioner, the sports infrastructure under the municipality of Ariana is now compliant and ready to host official matches.
However, several other municipalities have only partially addressed the identified shortcomings, while the infrastructure in Sidi Thabet and Kalaat El Andalous municipalities still require interventions to correct certain deficiencies. The regional authorities have taken note of these findings and are working to address them before the start of the new season.
A working session was held on September 10 at the Ariana governorate to discuss the results of the latest inspections. The session provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the current state of sports infrastructure in the region and discuss plans to address the identified shortcomings.
In cases where certain minor deficiencies cannot be immediately corrected, exceptional measures may be taken, in accordance with the regulations in force, such as organizing matches behind closed doors. The regional authorities are committed to ensuring that the necessary corrections are made to guarantee a safe and successful 2026-2027 sports season.
The Ariana region is taking steps to rectify the situation, with a focus on ensuring that all necessary corrections are made before the start of the new season. The regional youth and sports commissioner, Mourad Mellouli, has emphasized the importance of addressing these shortcomings to provide a safe and suitable environment for athletes and spectators.
Key points
- Several shortcomings in sports infrastructure were identified in inspections conducted in the Ariana region of Tunisia ahead of the 2026-2027 season.
- The identified shortcomings include problems with safety, hygiene, and maintenance, such as electrical installation issues and poor ventilation in locker rooms.
- The regional authorities are working to address the identified shortcomings, with a focus on ensuring a safe and successful 2026-2027 sports season.
