The city of Benghazi is taking confident strides towards hosting a prominent continental sporting event, following the conclusion of a short official visit to the city. This visit was part of coordination and preparation efforts to host the Africa Cup of Nations for teams qualifying for the World Cup scheduled to take place in China.
The visit included field tours during which the international official inspected a number of sports halls belonging to Al-Nasr, Al-Hilal, and New Benghazi clubs, reviewing their technical and organizational readiness to host the tournament’s competitions. The visit also included a tour of a number of hotels, tourist facilities, and service centers in the city to assess the level of services provided for participating delegations and teams.
International Praise for Benghazi’s Organizational Capabilities
Praise was given for the level and quality of sports halls and hotel facilities in Benghazi, with confirmation that the city possesses the necessary capabilities to host major continental and international tournaments.
A statement was made: “Benghazi has great potential and is capable of hosting and embracing major regional and international tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Table Tennis, scheduled to be held next February.”
Official Presence Reflects Sports Coordination
The visit was accompanied by the President of the Libyan Table Tennis Federation and the President of the Libyan Karate Federation, a step that reflects the extent of coordination between national sports federations and international institutions to ensure the success of this continental event.
Libyan Federation Confirms Early Readiness
For its part, the Libyan Table Tennis Federation confirmed that the city of Benghazi is now ready to host the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying for the World Cup in China, noting that the hotels that will host the participating teams and delegations have been approved, in addition to selecting the halls of the historic Al-Nasr Club to host the tournament’s competitions.
Technical Proposal to Support the Base and Gain Experience
A new technical direction was revealed aimed at supporting the sports base, explaining that a proposal will be submitted to the federation’s board of directors for four young male players and four young female players to participate in a ten-day preparation camp before the start of the tournament, with the aim of giving them the opportunity for exposure and gaining international experience.
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It was clarified that this proposal comes from a sense of responsibility, especially in light of the repeated failures of some previous external participations and the failure to present convincing levels at both the Arab and African levels.
A Successful Journey and Renewed Confidence
The sport of table tennis has witnessed a qualitative shift and a clear revival locally, Arably, and internationally. Two years ago, success was achieved in returning the game to the international forefront by hosting the African Clubs Championship and the International Junior Championship.
From Local to Arab
Last year, confidence was renewed for the presidency of the federation for the next four years until 2028. This sports journey was finally crowned with election as Vice President of the Arab Table Tennis Federation, an achievement that reflects stature and significant presence at both the Arab and international levels.
Benghazi
Benghazi is a major city in eastern Libya, historically significant as a key Mediterranean trade hub dating back to ancient Greek times when it was founded as Euesperides. It later served as the provisional capital of Libya following the 2011 revolution and has been a central site in the country’s modern political upheavals.
Africa Cup of Nations
The Africa Cup of Nations is the premier international men’s football competition in Africa, first contested in 1957. It is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and has grown from three founding nations to include dozens of teams, becoming a major sporting event that showcases the continent’s football talent.
World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is an international football tournament first held in 1930 in Uruguay. Organized by FIFA, it is contested every four years by the senior men’s national teams of its member associations and is the world’s most widely viewed sporting event.
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over four millennia. It is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which reflect its long imperial past and profound cultural achievements. In the modern era, it has developed into a major global economic and political power.
Al-Nasr
Al-Nasr is a common Arabic name meaning “The Victory,” often used for mosques, palaces, and monuments throughout the Islamic world. Historically, it is most famously associated with the Al-Nasr Mosque in Jerusalem, originally built in the 12th century during the reign of Saladin to commemorate his victory in recapturing the city.
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal is a prominent Saudi Arabian professional football club based in Riyadh, founded in 1957. It is one of Asia’s most successful clubs, having won numerous domestic and continental titles, including multiple AFC Champions League trophies. The club’s history is deeply intertwined with the growth of football in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
New Benghazi
New Benghazi is a modern residential and commercial district in Benghazi, Libya, developed primarily in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It was constructed to accommodate the city’s growing population and stands in contrast to the historic Old City (the medina) of Benghazi, which dates back to Greek and Roman eras. The area reflects Libya’s contemporary urban expansion following the discovery of oil.
Libyan Table Tennis Federation
The Libyan Table Tennis Federation is the national governing body for the sport of table tennis in Libya, responsible for organizing competitions and developing players. It operates under the umbrella of the Libyan Olympic Committee and is affiliated with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), working to promote the sport within the country.
Libyan Karate Federation
The Libyan Karate Federation is the national governing body for the sport of karate in Libya, responsible for organizing competitions, training athletes, and promoting the martial art nationwide. It was established to develop karate within the country and has historically worked to field Libyan teams in African and international tournaments.
Africa Cup of Table Tennis
The Africa Cup of Table Tennis is a continental table tennis tournament organized by the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF). First held in 1962, it serves as a major qualification event for the World Cup and features top players from across the continent competing for the title.
Arab Table Tennis Federation
The Arab Table Tennis Federation is a regional sports governing body established to promote and develop table tennis across Arab nations. It organizes competitions, including the Arab Table Tennis Championships, and works to foster youth participation and training programs in the sport.
African Clubs Championship
The African Clubs Championship, now known as the CAF Champions League, is the premier annual club football competition in Africa. It was first organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 1964, with Cameroonian club Oryx Douala winning the inaugural title. The tournament was rebranded to its current format in 1997 to increase its prestige and commercial appeal.
International Junior Championship
The International Junior Championship is a competitive youth sports event, often in fields like tennis or golf, designed to showcase emerging talent. Its history typically involves being established by a sports federation or organization to foster development and provide a platform for young athletes to gain international experience.
