The 3rd Marrakesh International Indoor Archery Tournament

        
The hosts were very pleased by the success of this three-day event organised in Marrakesh, the beautifully scented city of green Morocco, and under the theme of “Arrow of Friendship”. It was truly a unique way to start the world indoor archery season.

“The event was enriched by 67 participants from Africa, America, Asia and Europe represented by 11 countries—Algeria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, USA—including top level archers like Thomas AUBERT (FRA), Michael CAUWE (BEL), Christophe DOUSSOT (FRA), Albina LOGINOVA (RUS), Christopher MARSH (GBR), Sarah PRIEELS (BEL), and Shawn Michael RICE (USA). Plus participation of the professional photographers Dean ALBERGA (NED) and Jean-Denis GITTON (FRA)” said Meriam EL MAHIRI, President of Association Club Arc de Marrakech De Tir à l’Arc, the event organiser.

What made this event at World Ranking level was that results were managed by the IANSEO experts Matteo PISANI (ITA) and Christian DELIGANT (ITA) who volunteered to make the Marrakesh tournament very professional and live scored. All tournament results are available here.

Many archers who joined last year’s competition also participated this year and are looking forward to the next tournament in Marrakesh in 2013. After three days of competition, the results were as follows: In the recurve men division, Thomas AUBERT (FRA) won the gold medal after defeating Elias CUESTA (ESP) while Jerome BIDAULT (FRA) won over Shawn RICE (USA) to take bronze. Nathalie DIELEN (SUI) won the gold medal after defeating Khadija ABBOUDA (MAR) in the recurve women division, while Ibtissam FARJIA (MAR) won over Naima BASIDI (MAR) to take bronze.

The compound class was won by Michael CAUWE (BEL) who defeated Philippe HORNER (SUI) on his way to the gold medal. World champion Albina LOGINOVA (RUS) won the bronze medal. As there were only two female archers in the compound division, the women shot against the men. She defeated Roland STUNNY (SUI) in the bronze medal final.

What makes this competition unique is not only the very warm welcoming, hospitality and professional organisation, but also the cultural program organised for all participants. After a sightseeing tour on Friday, the archers discovered the wonderful and magnificent city of Marrakesh, the “Pearl of the South”, in horse-drawn carriages on Saturday, culminating in a big colourful closing party in a typical Morrocan restaurant including many traditional music and horse riding shows on Sunday.

“It was a great honor to have Mr. Tom DIELEN the Secretary General of World Archery among us with a great support to our event” added Meriam EL MAHIRI.

For a professional photo album by Jean-Denis GITTON, please click here.
   
Ahmed KOURA
Secretary General of the Federation of African Archery