Tunis, 3 November 2022. The President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, ANOCA, was present for the signing of the hosting agreement of the 2nd African Beach Games billed for the city of Hammamet, Tunisia, from 24 to 30 June 2023.
The document was signed by the Minister of Youth and Sports of Tunisia Kamel Deguiche, ANOCA President Mustapha Berraf and the President of NOC Tunisia, Mehrez Boussayene. The ceremony took place at the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports, and followed an inspection tour of the selected Games venues. The Yasmine Hammamet resort will on the occasion play host to over 1,000 participants representing the 54 ANOCA member countries.
While expressing his deep gratitude to ANOCA, Kamel Deguiche, Minister of Youth and Sports noted that the choice of Hammamet is an honour for his country. He gave assurances as to the commitment of the Tunisian State to make this event an organisational success, pointing out that: “This sports and cultural festival of African youth will be a great success thanks to the organisational conditions, which will be up to expectations.“
For his part, ANOCA President, Mustapha Berraf, highlighted Tunisia’s expertise in organising major international sports events as a merit for this great country, before noting that: “The reception and hospitality of Tunisians are no longer to be demonstrated. I pay tribute to Tunisian authorities at the highest level of the State, represented here by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, to His Excellency the President of the Republic, the regional authorities of Nabeul, the local officials of the city of Hammamet as well as the National Olympic and Sports Movement for their commitment and determination to make history on the occasion of this great African come together. I am also pleased with the great enthusiasm that the African Beach Games have already aroused among the Tunisian public and especially among young people.”
Commenting further, Mustapha Berraf said that: “The 2023 African Beach Games are an opportunity for Tunisia to regain its role as an international sports hub and highlight the importance of multidisciplinary sports competitions as a driver of development, stability and peace.”
He then concluded: “Once again, the African Beach Games will, like all multidisciplinary games, especially the Olympic Games, demonstrate the power of sport to unite people and uphold the values of friendship, solidarity and peace…”
Also taking the floor on the occasion, Mehrez Boussayene, President of NOC Tunisia had this to say: “Thanks to concerted efforts and ANOCA’s support, Tunisia will honour the African continent in the eyes of the entire global community, guaranteeing the conditions for a smooth organisation at all levels, including accommodation, transport, competition per se, as well as the cultural and artistic programme.”
The African Beach Games will, for a certain number of disciplines, be qualifiers for the World Beach Games scheduled for early August 2023 in Bali, Indonesia.
11 sports disciplines have for the moment been selected for the 2023 Beach Games in Hammamet pending the final joint decision to be taken in the coming days by ANOCA and the Organising Committee, which could take the number of disciplines up to 20.
The maiden African Beach Games took place in Sal, Cape Verde, from 14 to 23 June 2019. The African Beach Games project aims to offer the continent’s youth a major event that will help young people develop and help gain experience in the promotion of Beach events.
