Aqaba, Sept. 6 (Petra) -- The fourth Arab Open Fishing Championship wrapped up in Aqaba Saturday, with competitors from five Arab countries taking part in two days of contests in the Red Sea port city.
Teams and national squads from Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Lebanon and Yemen competed in the tournament, organized by the Royal Jordanian Marine Sports Federation with the support and sponsorship of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and hosted by Tala Bay Resort.
Egypt topped the heaviest fish competition, with Jordan finishing second and Yemen third, while Kuwait’s A team claimed first place in the highest total catch by weight category.
Running alongside the Arab tournament was the first Local Companies Fishing Championship, which attracted 11 teams representing companies and institutions from Aqaba and elsewhere in Jordan.
Aqaba Container Terminal took the overall title in the corporate championship, followed by Aqaba Columns Company for Cement and Steel Distribution in second place and ASEZA in third. Al-Jawahir for Tourism Investments won the highest total catch by weight category.
ASEZA Deputy Chief Commissioner Karima Al-Dabet said the tournament’s fourth edition demonstrated the growing potential of fishing competitions to combine competitive sport with Aqaba’s marine tourism offering.
She said participation from across the Arab region, along with spectator attendance and engagement with the championship, could help strengthen sports tourism and reinforce Aqaba’s position as a regional destination for marine sports.
Al-Dabet said the introduction of a championship for local companies also broadened participation in the sport, with 11 teams from businesses and institutions taking part in its inaugural edition.
She praised the organizations involved in staging the event, including Tala Bay Resort and the naval forces.
Royal Jordanian Marine Sports Federation President Thabet Al-Nabulsi said the championship is part of efforts to develop competitive fishing in Jordan, expand its participant base and increase the Kingdom’s presence in Arab marine sporting events.
He said continued cooperation between the federation, ASEZA and other partners would support the regular staging of marine competitions in Aqaba while creating more opportunities for Arab teams and athletes to compete and exchange expertise.
The tournament concluded with an awards ceremony for the winning teams and recognition of sponsors and supporting organizations, attended by Aqaba Development Corporation Executive Director for Corporate Affairs Khaled Allawi.
The federation said it plans to continue developing fishing competitions and other marine sporting events as part of efforts to raise competitive standards and expand Aqaba’s presence on the regional marine sports calendar.
//Petra// RZ
