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National Sports Day: Youssef Chahed announces series of measures to promote sector

Published the:  15/06/2019

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(TAP) – Prime Minister Youssef Chahed presided, Saturday morning at El Menzah Sports Palace, over the festivities marking the celebration of the National Sports Day, in the presence of the Minister of Youth and Sport, the secretaries of state for Sport and Youth, the presidents of the National Olympic and Paralympic Committees and regional officials.

Chahed also met, upon his arrival, a group of Tunisian athletes, including former athletes who have distinguished themselves on the continental and international levels.

Accompanied by Paralympic champion Walid Ktila and weightlifter Ghaforane Belkhir, the Prime Minister also attended a series of shows by a group of athletes representing the various national sports federations.

In a statement to the press, Youssef Chahed pointed out that the celebration of this day throughout the country testifies to the particular concern that the State devotes to the sector, which is more defined as a social and economic booster.

"In 2019, Tunisia hosted more than 90 international sports events in different specialties, which reflects the confidence it enjoys in international sports structures," he added.

It also welcomed the convincing results achieved by the Tunisian elite in all disciplines, reserving a special mention for individual sports, women's sports and sports with special needs.

According to Chahed, a medium- and short-term plan has been put in place to promote the sport elite with the aim of multiplying by eight the funds allocated to the elite (17 million dinars for 2019 and 2020), with a view to strengthening successes and continuing on this path, in particular pending the next Olympic and Paralympic Games scheduled in 2020 in Tokyo and 2024 in Paris, respectively.

"During the Tokyo-2020 Games, Tunisia will be represented by more than 90 athletes with the aim of winning no less than 7 medals," he said.

The PM also stressed the need to further promote school sports and relaunch national championships in schools.

To this end, he announced a programme for the development of some 500 neighbourhood sports field across the country, following the completion of the first 100 fields previously announced.

At the same time, studies have been initiated for the creation of 6 regional sports schools and the professional integration of 2010 university graduates in the specialties of physical education, sports professions and sports activities.

On the fringes of the celebration of the National Sports Day, the Prime Minister met with members of the delegation of the Tunisian football team who will travel to Egypt as of next week to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations (June 21 –July 19).