Since its formative phase in the 1950s, the League of Arab States has embraced the idea of organising Arab Games, inspired by the pioneer of the Arab Olympic movement, Ahmed El Demerdash Touny, and in line with the historic initiative of its first Secretary-General, Abdel Rahman Azzam, in pursuit of launching an Arab Olympiad.
Over the course of decades, and through successive sporting editions hosted by more than one Arab city under the auspices of the League of Arab States—albeit irregularly, owing to varying circumstances that affected their scheduling—these games have undoubtedly demonstrated their value and their role in extending and entrenching bridges of rapprochement and harmony among Arab peoples, while promoting fair competition on the sporting arenas.
These arenas have, in our time, become a true measure of the vitality of nations, a marker of social cohesion, and an embodiment of cultural diversity and national belonging, particularly among younger generations, including members of diaspora communities. Their distinguished and professional participation in sporting competitions carries powerful symbolism. At a time of globalisation and the growing erosion of national identity, sport has emerged as one of the most effective tools for safeguarding identity.
Following the excellent organisation of the Arab Cup in Qatar, and as we witness on Moroccan soil the vibrant atmosphere of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations—bringing together countries that account for nearly 60 per cent of the Arab world's population—the vital role of such events becomes evident in promoting the values of sporting culture in its ethical, recreational, and societal dimensions, in addition to their socio-economic impact in terms of job creation and the promotion of tourism and investment.
Alongside the national dimension, with its requirements of governance, capacity-building, and sporting infrastructure, the League of Arab States is working at the regional level to advance the objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which recognises sport as an empowering driver of sustainable development. It has also adopted ambitious and coherent strategies to entrench sporting activity as a human right and to integrate youth into pathways of peace and development, in conjunction with supporting sporting events which, through their resonance and broad appeal, transcend geographical boundaries and political differences, and constitute genuine soft power contributing to the enhancement of the civilisational image of the Arab space and its African depth.
Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi,
Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Media and Communication Sector
