Rouba is one of two Algerian athletes who competed at the 2014 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. She raced in the lightweight women’s single sculls while her fellow countryman Sid Boudina competed in the lightweight men’s single sculls. Last October Rouba won two gold medals at the African Championships, in the lightweight single and in the lightweight double.

Several polls conducted by press and sports organisations determined her as the winner of the award established by the Algerian Olympic and Sports Committee.

“I had not immediately realised that I had now become part of the national sports elite, much less that I had been elected the best female athlete of the year,” Rouba told the daily newspaper Planète Sport. “I hope that this gesture of gratitude towards the athletes who have honoured Algerian sport at various international events will be motivation for all of our athletes,” she said.

Rouba explained to Planète Sport that the new team at the Algerian rowing federation has provided rowers with the means and the possibility to transcend themselves and move ahead. Her rowing club CSU Oran is like a closely-knit family where athletes are respected, she says, and coaches Nabil Chiali and Mohamed Kellal spare no efforts in looking after their athletes.

She also thanked her brother, father and mother who have supported her and helped her to keep on moving forwards. “It is important to know that there are people who love you and on whom you can count at all times.”

Information thanks to Planète Sport.

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