The Tunisian Swimming Federation announced on Friday, September 26, 2026, that it has decided to postpone the Arab Open Water Swimming Championships. The event was scheduled to take place in Tunisia from October 2 to 4, 2026. According to the federation, the decision to postpone was made due to the insufficient number of participating countries and swimmers.
Hedia Mansour, the president of the Tunisian Swimming Federation, stated that the war and tense situations in the Gulf region have contributed to the postponement. She explained that the decision was made in coordination with the Arab Swimming Union, following the assessment that it would be impossible for swimmers from Gulf countries to travel due to the direct impact of the regional conflict.
Mansour emphasized that all organizational aspects of hosting the Arab Championships are ready and available. She noted that the Tunisian Swimming Federation is waiting for a signal from the Arab Swimming Union to determine a new date for the event. The president assured that the championships have not been canceled and that Tunisia has not been stripped of its hosting rights.
The postponement was necessary due to the low number of participants, which did not meet the required threshold for a successful event. Mansour confirmed that the championships will be held at a later date, once a new date is agreed upon with the Arab Swimming Union. The event aims to bring together top swimmers from across the Arab world.
Regarding the potential participation of Tunisian swimming stars, Ayob Hafnaoui and Ahmed Jaouadi, in the postponed championships, Mansour clarified that they will not be participating. This is because they are focused on preparing for the World Championships. The federation is now shifting its attention to younger swimmers.
The Tunisian Swimming Federation is prioritizing the development of young swimmers, with the goal of creating a new generation of athletes who can compete at the highest levels. Mansour expressed her enthusiasm for the future of Tunisian swimming, highlighting the importance of investing in youth development programs.
The postponement of the Arab Open Water Swimming Championships is a setback for the event, but it also presents an opportunity for the Tunisian Swimming Federation to reassess and regroup. The federation will work closely with the Arab Swimming Union to determine a new date for the championships, ensuring a successful and well-attended event.
Key points
- The Arab Open Water Swimming Championships have been postponed due to low participation.
- The event was originally scheduled to take place in Tunisia from October 2 to 4, 2026.
- The Tunisian Swimming Federation is prioritizing youth development programs to create a new generation of swimmers.
