A record 5,000 athletes will participate in the 10th Pan-Arab Games (PAG), to be held in Algeria from September 24 to October 8.
"When the Pan-Arab Games were first held in Alexandrya (Egypt) in 1953 only seven Arab countries participated," said Jafar Yafssah, Manager of the Games.
"We will now be celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the Games with 22 Arab countries taking part. It will be a record participation."
Yafssah held a press conference to brief the media on the event during his short visit to the UAE where he also held a meeting with the UAE National Olympic Committee officials.The meeting was attended by Ahmad Al Fardan the NOCs deputy president.
Yafssah said that Algeria was scheduled to host the Games in 2003, however the earthquake which hit the country last year ruined out plans.
"We are now ready to host our brothers from all the Arab countries to compete in Algeria." He said the Games will be held in four cities.
"Events will be held in the capital, Algeria, Al Bolaida, Ennaba and Oran. There will be 30 sports including 24 Olympic events, three non Olympic events and three for the disabled."
The PAG manager said the opening and closing ceremony of the Games will be held in the 5th of July stadium which has a capacity of 65,000.
"Events will also be held in the Olympic complex, which includes indoor sport halls and swimming pools."
He said that each athlete will be charged $50 daily for accomodation, food and transportation which will help cover a small part of the Games budget which is estimated at $37 million.
Yafssah said that Algeria was a secure country and would not face as security problems. "I dont think any one has to fear about the security situation. Algeria is a very safe country," he said.
Ahmad Al Fardan said that UAE are taking part in the PAG with three objectives.
"First, we are looking to be with our Arab brothers in this sports assembly," he said, adding: "Secondly, to compete and win medals and thirdly to give a because of the new sports which will be held for the first time in the PAG, like boxing, wrestling, judo and sailing."
Al Fardan said football, handball, basketball and volleyball will not be held at the Games due to the poor results achieved at the Busan Asian Games in 2002.
The PAG manager congratulated UAE on the achievement of Shaikh Ahmad Mohammad Hashar Al Maktoum winning a gold medal at the Olympics.
HEADCOUNT
UAE to send 140-member party
The UAE will be participating in the Pan-Arab Games for the sixth time. They took part first in the 1976 Games in Syria, 1985 (Morocco), 1992 (Syria), 1997 (Lebanon) and 1999 in Jordan.
The UAE will send a 140-strong contingent who will take part in 12 events - athletics, swimming, sailing, wrestling, equestrian, boxing, judo, cycling, shooting, chess, karate, taekwondo. The last five sports are for men and ladies, in addition to athletes for the disabled events.
Gulf News
