JEDDAH, 11 June 2007 — The Kingdom will send a 550-strong contingent in the 11th Pan Arab Games in Egypt later this year.
The Saudi team are seeing action in 20 sport events during the Nov. 11 to 25 games to be staged across the seven cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Asyout, Aswan, Esmaiilia, North Sinai, and Portsaiid. Saudi Arabia is among the 18 countries represented by more than 6,500 athletes that have confirmed their participation in the prestigious regional event.
An official from the organizing committee told Arab News in a telephone interview from Egypt that “for the first time the Arab Games will see the Gulf women participation in various sports.”
The national athletes will compete in football, basketball, handball, athletics, swimming, water polo, bowling, shooting, table tennis, tennis, gymnastics, judo, karate, taekwondo, boxing, wrestling, fencing, cycling, equestrian, and special needs sports.
The official also said applications for media accreditation are now open. The deadline for accreditation will be the day before the games begin on Nov. 10. Applications are available on their website at www.egypt.com.eg
After 42 years, Egypt is again to host this massive event after receiving 12 votes to Lebanon’s 10 from the bidding committee after Libya had begged off as the original host. The race narrowed to a two-way battle after the third bidder, Syria, withdrew before the voting started.
Egypt was the first country to host the games in 1953 when eight countries participated and it again hosted the event in 1965. The games have had nine staging since, but were stopped from 1976 to 1985, and from 1986 to 1992. The last event was held in Algeria in 2004 with 22 countries entered. In the 2004 meet, Saudi Arabia placed sixth overall with a 16-20-18 gold, silver, bronze medal tally. First place went to Egypt with 171 medals, second to Algeria with 127 medals and third to Tunisia with 132 medals.
According to Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee Assistant Secretary General Fahad Al-Athel the committee supervising the teams will consist of Mohammed Abu Omair, Ali Al-Huwaidi, Khalid Al-Hussain, Abdullah Al-Walaa. The importance of the event is reflected in the huge numbers of athletes’ participation, he said. “To add more to the thrill and excitement in the event the Saudi football federation will compete with its first team.” Al-Athel also said Saudi Arabia will participate in the cultural events to be held as sideshow to the multi-event competition.
