Arab Athletics Championships Under 16 and Under 23 Set to Shape Future of Arab Athletics

CAIRO – Ahly Online – Rashid Nasser Al Ali, a member of the Arab Athletics Federation’s board, emphasized that the inaugural Arab Athletics Championships for Under 16 and the third edition for Under 23, scheduled to take place in Ismailia, Egypt from June 20 to June 24, will feature participation from 14 Arab nations. He described these events as a significant strategic step in the development of Arab athletics and a reflection of the federation’s vision to establish a comprehensive system for discovering and nurturing talent, preparing athletes through a structured pathway towards national teams and continental and global competitions.

In a press statement, Al Ali explained that the creation of the Under 16 championship stems from the federation’s belief that developing champions begins well before reaching elite levels. It requires building a broad base of athletes prepared through carefully designed developmental programs starting from early age groups. This championship will provide national federations with greater opportunities to identify promising talents and assess their technical skills at an early age, contributing to long-term development plans for each athlete.

He added that the importance of this championship extends beyond mere competition; it also offers an ideal environment for interaction among Arab talents and facilitates the exchange of technical expertise between coaching and administrative staff. This dynamic is expected to positively impact the overall standard of Arab athletics, enhancing the prospects for a new generation of athletes capable of representing their countries and achieving outstanding results in regional and international championships.

Al Ali noted that holding the Under 16 championship concurrently with the Under 23 championship reflects a comprehensive technical vision from the Arab Federation aimed at creating a clear pathway for athlete development that begins in early age groups and gradually extends to senior levels. This ensures continuity in training efforts without losing talented individuals during transitional stages.

Regarding the Under 23 championship, which is being held this year in its third edition, Al Ali stated that it has become an essential milestone in an Arab athlete’s career. It represents a transitional phase between youth categories and senior competitions, one of the most critical stages in an athlete’s life as they face various technical, physical, and psychological challenges requiring special preparation and suitable competitive opportunities to continue their development.

He emphasized that many promising talents may encounter difficulties after completing their youth phase due to direct transitions into senior competitions. This could lead to setbacks or withdrawal from competition. Therefore, the Under 23 championship aims to bridge this gap by providing athletes with additional opportunities for gradual progression while gaining experience before fully transitioning into senior events.

This age category plays a crucial role in better preparing athletes to handle international competition environments and high-level demands, enhancing their technical readiness and mental resilience while increasing their chances of achieving success in future continental, global, and Olympic events.

Al Ali stressed that the Arab Athletics Federation places significant importance on sustaining championships across various age categories as they are fundamental to developing champions and building successive generations of athletes. He affirmed that the success of any sports system should not only be measured by current results but also by its ability to continuously produce new talents while maintaining ongoing achievements.

He concluded by asserting that the future of Arab athletics holds many promising opportunities amid increasing attention on talent development and investment across different age groups. Continuous collaboration between the Arab Federation and national federations will be a key factor in establishing an Arab system capable of competing vigorously on the international stage in upcoming years while achieving further accomplishments worthy of Arabic sports’ stature.

The organizing committee for both championships has confirmed participation from 14 Arab countries so far: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen, Oman, Syria, Tunisia, Lebanon, Iraq, Algeria, Libya, Djibouti, Morocco, along with host nation Egypt.