Libya’s Al-Sayyad (The Fisherman) Association has dipped its toe into the waters of international sporting engagement, marking its presence at the “Fish of April” Championship. The Tunisian coastal town of Hammamet provided the backdrop for the event, organised with characteristic Mediterranean flair by Sfax Sports Club, drawing together a diverse gathering of over 300 anglers from across the globe.
Far from being a simple angling jaunt, the championship featured keenly fought battles in the discipline of surfcasting – that patient and often solitary art of casting lines from the shore. Participants, paired into doubles teams, endured two demanding five-hour stretches of competition, a true test of skill, endurance, and the quiet communion between angler and the unpredictable sea.
Flying the flag for Libya’s Al-Sayyad Association was a quartet of dedicated enthusiasts: Essam Al-Bibas, Mohi Eddin Abu Zaqiya, Mohamed Dorar, and Mohamed Oraibi.
This understated yet significant foray onto the international scene unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by Libya’s Ministry of Marine Wealth. The initiative underscores a drive to foster greater Libyan representation in diverse international sporting arenas, nurture the talents of young people, and encourage a deeper engagement with maritime sports. Beyond the thrill of competition, it also represents a tentative cast towards strengthening sporting and cultural ties with neighbouring and friendly nations, hinting at a quiet hope for broader connections in a region often characterised by its divisions.