Coach of the Tunisian women's beach handball team, who have just won the gold medal in the women's tournament at the African Beach Games (JAP-Hammamet-2023), said the win over Kenya was well deserved after a hard-fought match.
"This title, which qualifies Tunisia for the 2023 World Beach Games, is the fruit of a great collective effort involving the players, the federation and the national technical department, " Hajer Ayari told TAP.
"She added that the Tunisian national team has once again confirmed its continental leadership after retaining the title won at the previous edition in Cape Verde.
She stressed the need to continue working hard in view of the difficult task ahead at the World Beach Games to be hosted by Bali, Indonesia, from August 5 to 12.
For her part, player Hanène Romdhane said the gold medal was expected as the Tunisian national team were one of the best in Africa and the Arab world and had taken part in several world championships and Mediterranean tournaments.
"We need to maintain our level and redouble our efforts to live up to expectations, especially at the Bali Games.
President of the national beach handball teams committee, Hana Gnaoui, said the Tunisians deserved to win given their experience in this type of competition and their excellent preparation for the Hammamet Games.
She also stressed that "this success encourages us to redouble our efforts in order to stand out at the World Beach Games and at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where this sport will be included in the programme from this year."
"We must continue to work with the same enthusiasm and determination, while the federation and the Ministry of Youth and Sport are called upon to guarantee the best possible preparation conditions for the Bali Games, through the organisation of training camps and friendly matches against top teams," she added.
In the women's tournament, the Tunisian team won 5-2 on penalties against their Kenyan counterparts after winning the first set 24-19 and losing the second 17-20.
The silver medal went to Kenya, while the bronze went to Mali, who had earlier beaten Uganda 8-6 on penalties after winning a set each (22-10 for Uganda, 16-12 for Mali).
As a reminder, the beach handball competition took the form of a mini-championship involving the teams of Tunisia, Algeria, Kenya, Uganda and Mali.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse