Hammamet, Tunisia, 1 July 2023: the 2nd African Beach Games Hammamet 2023 ended in pomp and ceremony on 30 June.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Games on 30 June 2023, ANOCA President, the Honourable Mustapha Berraf, remarked that “This memorable success is the fruit of the efforts of all stakeholders involved.” The ceremony took place at the Games venue in Yasmin Hammamet, and was attended by the Tunisian Minister for Youth and Sport, the host NOC President and the Governor of the Nabeul Region.
It was on this occasion that the Organising Committee Chair of the Hammamet Games handed over the relay baton to Equatorial Guinea’s Minister for Sport, Patricio Bakale Mba Medja, whose country will be hosting the next edition of the African Beach Games. The Minister congratulated Tunisia on “this resounding success” and asserted that “Equatorial Guinea will do its utmost to continue to make the most of these Games and to consolidate the role of sport as a vehicle of friendship, fraternity, progress and peace.“
As concerns sports per se, almost 2,300 people from 54 African countries were involved in these Games, in which 1,300 athletes participated.
In the overall medal rankings, Algeria topped the charts with 15 gold medals, followed by Tunisia with 13 gold medals, while Morocco were third on the podium with 8 gold medals.
The ANOCA President also had quite a hectic schedule on the sidelines of the Games, as he was present at every important moment. He chaired the deliberations of the ANOCA Executive Committee and the organisation’s Ordinary General Assembly alongside Olympic Day celebrations on 23 June 2023. He was very present at the official opening ceremony of the 2nd African Beach Games at the Olympic Garden in Nabeul, during which he insisted: “The successful organisation of the Games proves that Tunisia is one of the countries capable of organising major sports events. I hail the Head of State, Kais Saied, and the public and local authorities for the efforts they have made to make this event a success”.
The Honourable Mustapha Berraf also granted several audiences and concluded important agreements with certain international sports institutions, as well as with the NOCs of Zambia and Cape Verde for the construction of new headquarters for both NOCs.
The ANOCA President and his entire delegation had a very busy and fruitful stay in Hammamet.
The 3rd African Beach Games will be held in Equatorial Guinea in four years’ time.
The curtains are definitely drawn on the episode acted on the warm, soft sands of Yasmine Hammamet, which story ends on a “wonderful note of total satisfaction,” the Honourable Mustapha Berraf further noted.
