Arab Games

The Arab Games (Arabic: الألعاب العربية), 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

• * 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.

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 ? Iraq
• 1998 ? Egypt
• 2004 Jordan Amman
• 2010 ? Egypt
• 2018 Morocco Agadir

Arab University Beach Games

Editions

• 2016 Morocco Agadir

Arab Games for the Handicapped

Editions

• 1999 Jordan Amman
• 2003 Algeria Algiers (cancelled)

Arab School Games

Editions

Organized by the Arab Union for Physical Education and School Sports (AUPESS).

Unofficial

• 1949 Lebanon Beirut
• 1951 Egypt Cairo
• 1952 Syria Damascus
• 1954 Lebanon Beirut

Official

See also

• African Games
• Asian Games
• GCC Games
• All-Africa University Games

Notes

Sources

• Bell, Daniel (2003). Encyclopedia of International Games. McFarland and Company, Inc. Publishers, Jefferson, North Carolina. ISBN 0-7864-1026-4.

External links

• (archived 20 September 2008)
• (archived 28 January 2011)
• (archived 7 October 2011)