Sports and diplomatic imbroglio this Monday, October 14 during the 45th edition of the African Championship of handball champion clubs (men and women), organized by the Kingdom in Laâyoune. After five days of competition, the Tunisian Handball Federation suddenly ordered the Sahel Women’s Association to leave the competition.
The African Handball Championship for champion clubs (women’s and men’s), underway in Laâyoune, therefore experienced an unexpected twist with the temporary withdrawal of the Tunisian delegation. This event comes after five days of competition, the Tunisian team announced its withdrawal in the middle of the tournament.
However, after consultations with the Tunisian authorities, particularly in light of the current political tensions between Tunisia and Morocco, the delegation decided to resume the competition. This turnaround allowed the Tunisian team to avoid heavy sanctions that could have included fines or bans from future participation in international competitions.
A tense diplomatic context
This sporting context takes place in a tense atmosphere on the diplomatic level. Indeed, relations between Tunisia and Morocco have cooled, in particular, after the controversial reception by Tunisian President Kaïs Saïed of the separatist leader of the Polisario whom he himself had invited to the Japan-Africa economic summit (TICAD) when he wasn’t. This gesture was perceived by Rabat as a direct affront to its sovereignty over the Moroccan Sahara, thus fueling a series of diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
As with Algeria which is getting confused with both diplomacy and sport, the episode of Tunisia’s withdrawal and reintegration into the African championship reflects this delicate situation, where political and diplomatic considerations interfere with the field. sporty. No official justification was given, all the more surprising as Tunisian players accumulated victories against teams like those of Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Angola.
The episode of withdrawal and reintegration of Tunisia
While the Tunisians withdrew in the middle of the tournament, the African Handball Confederation (CAHB) quickly intervened to remind them of the potential sanctions incurred by the Tunisian delegation. Sanctions which could have been heavy, not only for this edition, but also for Tunisia’s future participations in African competitions. Under this pressure, the Tunisian Federation requested time to consult the authorities of its country.
After emergency discussions with Tunis, the decision was made: the Sahel Women’s Association team could finally resume competition, thus avoiding compromising the rest of their journey and incurring severe penalties.
Despite this tense diplomatic climate, the Tunisian delegation continued its stay in Laâyoune without major incident. In Tunisia, the official press agency even welcomed the qualification of the Sahel Women’s Association for the second round of the competition, an unusual recognition in this context of tensions. Teams representing nations recognizing the “SADR” such as Nigeria and Ethiopia also participated in this event, highlighting a complex dynamic between diplomacy and sport.
Finally, the tournament continues in Laâyoune, with the presence of clubs from all over the African continent. As for the Tunisian team, it resumed competition after this brief incident, now more focused on its sporting performances than on the diplomatic turmoil shaking the region.
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