In a surprising turn of events, the Tunisian Handball Federation reversed its decision to withdraw the Tunisian women’s handball team from the African handball championship that started on Friday in Laayoune in the south of Morocco.
The initial decision to withdraw had sparked strong reactions from the players and their coach, who expressed disappointment in the federation.
After the reversal, however, videos circulating on social media showed the Tunisian players celebrating when they learned they would compete after all in the championship that is being held on Morocco’s Sahara territory. Upon arriving in Laayoune, the coach appreciated the warm reception the team received.
The opening ceremony on Friday featured the participating teams and folklore performances by groups from various regions of Morocco and other African countries. The organizers screened a video of Laayoune’s sports infrastructure, demonstrating the city’s capacity to host large international sporting events.
16 teams, divided into four groups, will compete in the men’s category, including Moroccan clubs Raja Agadir, Mountada Derb Sultan Widad Es-Semara, Egyptian clubs Al Ahly and Zamalek, and teams from other countries such as Etoile and CFJSO from Congo, Don Bosco from Ivory Coast, and ASFA from Senegal. Teams from Benin, Cameroon, and Ethiopia are also taking part.
For the women’s competition, 11 teams from countries including Morocco, Angola, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Tunisia, and others are divided into three groups, with Tunisia’s Association Sportive Féminine du Sahel among the participants.
Held by the Moroccan Handball Federation (FRMH) under the aegis of the African Handball Confederation (CAHB), the continent-wide tournament runs until October 19 and features 27 teams from 11 African countries.
The President of the Regional Council, Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid, African diplomats, and prominent sports figures attended opening ceremony. Laayoune previously hosted the 32nd African Handball Cup Winners’ Championship in May, 2016.