The Arab Games (), also known as the Pan-Arab Games, are a regional multi-sport event held between nations from the Arab world. They are organized by the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees. The first Games took place in 1953 in Alexandria, Egypt. Intended to be held every four years since, political turmoil and financial difficulties have made the event an unstable one. Women first competed in 1985.
Complications Typically the games are to take place every four years. Initially Lebanon was set to host the 2015 XIII Arab Games, but the country "withdrew because of the crisis in the Middle East". Following Beirut's withdrawal Morocco was then chosen to host the games, but faced financial complications and also withdrew.
The same year, Egypt volunteered to host the event. "Sheikh Khalid Al Zubair, chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC)" said, "We will be offering our full support to Egypt and we have also taken a decision to suspend the financial regulations and other requirements due to lack of time." Had the UANOC accepted Egypt's proposition the games would have taken place in December 2015; however, no such event was held.
Editions
GamesYearHostOpened byDatesNationsCompetitorsSportsEventsTop nationMenWomenTotal11953 AlexandriaMohamed Naguib26 July – 10 August9650 —650107021957 BeirutCamille Chamoun13 – 27 October10914 —914129031961 CasablancaHassan II24 August – 8 September91127 —11271190*41965 Cairo**Gamal Abdel Nasser2 – 14 September141500 —15001390**51976 DamascusHafez al-Assad6 – 21 October112174 —21741812061985 RabatHassan II24 August – 8 September1734421816071992 DamascusHafez al-Assad4 – 18 September1826111415081997 BeirutElias Hrawi13 – 27 July1832532221791999 AmmanAbdullah II15 – 31 August21550426323102004 AlgiersAbdelaziz Bouteflika24 September – 10 October22552532330112007 CairoHosni Mubarak11 – 26 November22 600032355 122011 DohaHamad bin Khalifa Al Thani9 – 23 December published by the Qatar Olympic Committee on 6 March 2011; retrieved 10 March 201121 600033316132023 Algeria (5 cities)Aymen Benabderrahmane 5 – 15 July22 380022253142027 RiyadhKing of Saudi Arabia (expected)Future event152031 Bahrain Future event162035 Jordan Future event * United Arab Republic with Egypt and Syria. ** United Arab Republic with Egypt only. Not held in 2015 and 2019. 2015 Cancelled.
Sports 37 sports were presented in the Arab Games history. Para Sports since 1999. Women since 1985.
SportYearssince 1953since 1953since 1999since 1953since 1999since 1953since 2007since 1999since 2007since 2011since 1999since 1957TBASportYearssince 1957since 1953since 1999since 1953since 1985since 1953since 1961since 1976since 1976since 1999since 2007since 1957SportYearssince 1985since 1953since 1999since 1999since 1953since 1976since 1997since 1961since 1957since 1961since 1953since 1953
All-time medal table Below is the medal table of the Arab Games tournaments, up until the 13th tournament 2023.
* The United Arab Republic (1958–1971) contains 2 countries Egypt & Syria. * Indonesia won medals at the 1965 Pan Arab Games.
Related Games Arab University Games Editions
1970s ? 1998 ? 2004 Amman 2010 ? 2018 Agadir
Arab University Beach Games Editions
2016 Agadir
Arab Games for the Handicapped Editions
1999 Amman 2003 Algiers (cancelled)
Arab School Games Editions
Organized by the Arab Union for Physical Education and School Sports (AUPESS).
Unofficial 1949 Beirut 1951 Cairo 1952 Damascus 1954 Beirut
Official 1963 Kuwait City 1964 not held 1966 Damascus 1971 Baghdad 1973 Beirut (women were first allowed to participate) 1975 Alexandria 1977 Tripoli 1979 Mogadishu 1986 Tunis not held not held 1998 ? 2000 not held 2002 Beirut 2004 ? 2006 Algiers 2008 Amman 2010 ? 2012 Kuwait City
See also African Games Asian Games GCC Games All-Africa University Games
Notes
References
Sources Bell, Daniel (2003). Encyclopedia of International Games. McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina. .
External links
Athletics medalists Arab Games 2007 website (archived 20 September 2008) Arab Games 2011 official website (archived 28 January 2011) Arab Games 2011 Exhibition and Timeline (archived 7 October 2011)