Algeria rules out boycotting the Mediterranean Games and Bach apologizes for not attending the opening ceremony

 Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, apologized for attending the opening ceremony of the nineteenth Mediterranean Games, scheduled for the city of Oran, western Algeria, between June 25 and July 6, ruling out the boycott of some countries for this sporting event.

Mohamed Aziz Derwaz, governor of the Mediterranean Games in Oran, said at the "Sports Press" forum organized by the National Organization of Algerian Sports Journalists today, Saturday, that one of the Algerians who has membership in the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee is the one who will represent Bach, at the opening ceremony, in reference to the Mustafa Berav.

Derwaz suggested that heads of state and government, along with a significant number of youth and sports ministers, would attend the opening ceremony, about which he stressed that it would be a pleasant surprise for the Algerian people and would respond to their aspirations.

Darwaz refused to reveal the activators of the opening and closing ceremonies, nor their details, preferring to leave the exclusivity of this matter to Salim Dada, who is in charge of this aspect.

He stressed that the city of Oran is ready to host the Mediterranean wedding, and that the organizing committee is confident of winning the bet for the success of organizing the games, after all organizational aspects were controlled.

He added, "The success of any games depends on the success of the opening and closing ceremonies, the good reception of delegations, and the guarantee of catering, accommodation and transportation services. I think that these aspects are well controlled, and the few days that separate us from the start of the games will give us the opportunity to remedy any possible shortage."

He added, "We have developed an alternative plan and formed a crisis cell at the level of the organizing committee to face any emergency. The Mediterranean village is ready with all its facilities. All the participating delegations will find a proper welcome."

And he continued, "Today (Saturday) we finished preparing the sports program for the session, which will be devoid of the women's water handball competition (Water Polo) for women due to the lack of the legal number of participating countries, and some weights in boxing, wrestling and some competitions in athletics have been canceled for the same reason."

Despite his optimism for the success of the games, Darwaz expressed some "natural" concerns, pointing out that the problem of sailing equipment has been resolved.

Derwaz expected that the number of athletes participating in the Oran Games will reach 4,500, including world champions representing 26 national Olympic committees, in addition to about 1,500 accompanying and invited guests.

He also ruled out that some countries would boycott the Oran session, calling on the Algerian masses to respect all delegations and their national anthem.

Derwaz revealed that the organizing committee approved free electronic tickets that will be placed at the disposal of the masses to follow the competitions of the session, unlike the opening and closing ceremonies, whose attendance will be for a fee.

Derwaz praised the support and support of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, noting that the Algerian state provided an amount of about 100 million dollars (13 billion Algerian dinars) for the success of the Mediterranean Games, in addition to what was spent on the completion and modernization of sports facilities. 

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