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