La Marsa municipal park was the venue this afternoon for the opening ceremony of the African boules and pétanque championship, which will run until June 22 with the participation of more than 100 players representing 12 countries. Taking part in the ceremony were Zohra Smaali, President of the Tunisian Boules and Petanque Federation (FTBP), Chokri Belhassan, Head of the Office of the Minister for Youth and Sport, and Yassine Kéfi, President of the African Petanque Confederation. They all took the opportunity to express their belief in the tournament's technical and logistical success, as well as its ability to spread the values of sport and the spirit of partnership throughout the continent and the world. The ceremony, which was attended by a large audience of pétanque fans, was highlighted by musical sequences and parades of traditional dress, as well as a parade of the flags of the various countries involved and the players. On the sidelines of the ceremony, national coach Adel Halleb told TAP that the Tunisian players were determined to shine and win gold, following the example of world champions Rayène Hamdi and Achref Zouaoui and African champion Hamza Khiari. On the subject of preparation for this event, the coach said that the Tunisian team had prepared in good conditions, with a programme combining intensive sessions and a training camp at Gaafour (Siliana governorate) from May 18-21, in which more than 20 players took part. The countries taking part in the African Boules Lyonnaise and RAFFA Championships are Tunisia, Algeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Djibouti, Egypt, Mauritius, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sudan and Togo.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse