Meeting Between President Kaïs Saïed and Minister of Youth and Sports
The President of the Republic, Kaïs Saïed, received Mr. Sadok Mourali, Minister of Youth and Sports, yesterday, October 31, 2025, at the Carthage Palace.
Discussion on the Memorandum of Understanding
The meeting focused on the memorandum of understanding signed by the Minister with Mr. Liu Junfeng, Vice-President of the Chinese Agency for International Development Cooperation, in the presence of the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Tunisia. The agreement concerns the project to rebuild the El Menzah Olympic Stadium, with work scheduled to begin next year.
Preservation of the Stadium's Architectural Heritage
The Head of State expressed his satisfaction with the agreement with the Chinese party, while emphasizing the need to preserve the original architectural aspect of the stadium, a true element of national heritage. He also stressed the importance of modernizing its various components, including the track, stands, electronic panels, and other equipment, according to the latest standards.
Repairs to the Olympic Complex
President Saïed also gave instructions to undertake the necessary repairs to the entire El Menzah Olympic Complex, a venue for major sporting events and encounters between sports and art. He recalled that the current state of the complex, built in the 1960s to host the Mediterranean Games, should never have deteriorated to this point if projects to destroy and sell it to powerful real estate lobbies had not been planned for a long time.
Fight Against Corruption
The President reminded that he had taken a decision as soon as the renovation works began, after becoming aware of a corruption file that could have led to a real catastrophe and massive waste of public funds. He insisted on the need for regular maintenance of sports infrastructure and youth houses, and affirmed that anyone who has harmed this sector, like others, will have to answer for it.
Reform of the Sports System
On another level, the Head of State discussed the system of sports structures, emphasizing the urgency of purifying the sector. He believes it is necessary to clearly choose between professionalism and amateurism, as the current situation is hybrid, neither one nor the other. He also called for dismantling illegal brokerage networks, citing the example of foreign players recruited under the pretext of trials or medical tests, then quickly sent back after their recruiters had collected large sums of money.
Promotion of Tunisian Sports
President Saïed recalled that Tunisia has known champions who have marked history with modest means but a deep patriotic spirit. He affirmed that it is with this spirit that the country can shine and triumph again, adding that the era of simple participation is over: now, it's about participating to raise the national flag high in all competitions.
Support for Small Clubs
Finally, the Head of State gave instructions to support small clubs, which "are not so small," he specified, as they are full of talent and champions.
