TheArab Games (Arabic:الألعاب العربية), also known as thePan-Arab Games, are a regionalmulti-sport event held between nations from theArab world. They are organized by theUnion of Arab National Olympic Committees. The first Games took place in 1953 inAlexandria, Egypt. Intended to be held every four years since, political turmoil and financial difficulties have made the event an unstable one. Women first competed in 1985.[1]
Typically the games are to take place every four years. Initially Lebanon was set to host the 2015 XIII Arab Games, but the country "withdrew because of the crisis in the Middle East".[2] Following Beirut's withdrawal Morocco was then chosen to host the games, but faced financial complications and also withdrew.[2]
The same year, Egypt volunteered to host the event. "Sheikh Khalid Al Zubair, chairman of theOman Olympic Committee (OOC)" said, "We will be offering our full support to Egypt and we have also taken a decision to suspend the financial regulations and other requirements due to lack of time."[3] Had the UANOC accepted Egypt's proposition the games would have taken place in December 2015; however, no such event was held.
^Initially held inBeirut, Lebanon it was cancelled due to security conditions, so the hosting moved toAgadir orRabat, Morocco, which in turn apologized for hosting and was thus postponed to 2019, and then canceled.
^AUSF Report Page 9. Also arab university futsal, beach volleyball, basketball and futsal championship. 1338 athletes from 17 nations.
Alexandria
Beirut
Casablanca
United Arab Republic*
Damascus
Beirut
Egypt
Amman
Algiers
Doha
Riyadh[5]
Bahrain
Tunisia (TUN)
Syria (SYR)
Iraq (IRQ)
Kuwait (KUW)
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Sudan (SUD)
Libya (LBA)
Oman (OMN)
Palestine (PLE)
Yemen (YEM)
Djibouti (DJI)
Indonesia (INA)
North Yemen (YAR)
Somalia (SOM)
Mauritania (MTN)
South Yemen (YMD)
