Egyptian rowers shine at Arab Games

The rowing regatta of the 11th Pan Arab Games has just finished in Alexandria, Egypt, where athletes from the host nation shone.

At the International Nozha Regatta Course nine participating countries – Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Sudan and Egypt – took to the water.

Of the nine events Egypt finished first in six and medalled in all nine. Olympian Aly Ibrahim was back in the men’s double and with partner Sobehy AbdelGhany they earned gold. Egypt also showed strength in their women’s rowing. Iman Hassan and Heba Hassan easily took gold in the women’s double.

But perhaps the standout performance was the small Iraqi contingent. Hamza Hussein competed in four events and left with four medals. Hussein finished second in the men’s pair, third in the lightweight men’s quad, second in the men’s double and first in the lightweight men’s single. Hussein’s partner in the men’s pair and double, Haider Nouzad was also successful with a silver medal place in the men’s single.

Rowing World Cup medallist, Ibtissem Trimech of Tunisia tussled with Algeria’s Rouba Amina in the single. Trimech won the women’s single with Amina in second. Then later the two athletes raced each other again in the lightweight women’s single. This time Amina took gold followed by Trimech in the silver medal spot.

The Pan Arab Games are for countries of the Arab World. The Games take place every four years with 32 sporting disciplines being held. These events come mainly from the Olympic roster but also include the local sport of camel riding.

This year’s Games are the largest in its history which dates back to 1953. About 7,000 athletes, coaches and administrators are involved in the events that take place in seven cities in Egypt. The Games finish on 26 November.
 
The next Pan Arab Games will be in Lebanon in 2011.

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