The Tunisian Swimming Federation announced on Friday that the Arab Open Water Swimming Championships, scheduled to take place in Tunisia from October 2-4, has been postponed. The decision was made due to the low number of participating countries and swimmers. The federation stated that the event's organization was ready, but the number of participants was not sufficient to hold the competition in optimal technical and organizational conditions.
According to Hadhia Mansour, president of the Tunisian Swimming Federation, the postponement was made in coordination with the Arab Swimming Union. The decision was influenced by the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, which has made it difficult for swimmers from Gulf countries to travel. The countries affected include Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman.
Mansour emphasized that the postponement does not mean the cancellation of the event or the withdrawal of Tunisia as the host country. The federation is waiting for a signal from the Arab Swimming Union to determine a new date for the championships. All organizational aspects, including logistics and facilities, are in place, and the event will be held when the situation improves.
The Tunisian Swimming Federation is focusing on developing young swimmers, particularly in the junior categories. Mansour stated that the federation's attention is now directed towards creating a new generation of swimmers who can compete at the international level. This strategy aims to produce future world and Olympic champions.
The postponement of the Arab Open Water Championships means that two of Tunisia's top swimmers, Ayub Hafnawi and Ahmed Jouadi, will not participate in the event. Both athletes are preparing for the World Championships and will not be competing in the Arab Championships.
The Tunisian Swimming Federation is working to promote swimming in the country and develop the sport. The postponement of the Arab Championships provides an opportunity for the federation to reassess its priorities and focus on nurturing young talent. The event will be held at a later date, once the situation in the region improves.
The Arab Open Water Championships is an important event for the region, and its postponement affects the swimming community. The Tunisian Swimming Federation is working closely with the Arab Swimming Union to find a new date for the event. The championships will provide a platform for swimmers from Arab countries to compete and showcase their skills.
Key points
- The Arab Open Water Championships was postponed due to low participation and travel restrictions in the Gulf region.
- The Tunisian Swimming Federation is focusing on developing young swimmers and creating a new generation of athletes.
- The event will be held at a later date, once the situation in the region improves.
