BY: Dr. Hana Saada
Algiers Sports Festival: A National Celebration of Fitness, Inclusion, and Urban Renewal
Algiers, Algeria | April 30th, 2025 — As the clock ticks down to May 1, the Algerian capital is preparing to welcome tens of thousands of citizens and visitors for the highly anticipated second edition of the Algiers Sports Festival—a large-scale, inclusive, and multi-dimensional celebration of athleticism, public engagement, and urban transformation. Scheduled to run from May 1 to 3, the festival will unfold across 14 sites in Algiers, offering more than 120 sports and recreational activities under the banner “El Bahdja Tajma’na” (Joy Unites Us). The initiative is held under the patronage of Minister of Interior, Local Authorities, and Urban Development Ibrahim Merad.
A Festival of the People, for the People
In an exclusive statement to Dzair Sport, Yacine Siafi, Director of Youth, Sports, and Leisure for Algiers, described the event as a landmark opportunity for community engagement and national wellness. “This festival is not just about organizing competitions,” Siafi emphasized. “It is about instilling a culture of daily sports practice among Algerians and showcasing the state’s efforts in public space development.”
Building on the remarkable success of the inaugural edition—which hosted 70 activities across just five locations—this year’s edition is significantly scaled up, both in size and ambition. The program expands to 14 diverse venues including forests, natural parks, urban spaces, and newly inaugurated facilities, such as El Kettani Square and the Douira Dam.
From Forest Trails to City Streets: Where Fitness Meets Urban Planning
Among the venues are Bab El Oued Park, El Sahel Forest, Dounia Park, El Hamma Botanical Garden, Oued Smar Park, Bainem Forest, El Kettani Square, and the Sablettes waterfront, offering a dynamic variety of settings for physical activity. Participants of all ages—including children, women, students, and persons with disabilities—are invited to take part in this festival, with all activities free of charge and supported by free shuttle transportation to ensure accessibility.
Siafi noted that the festival was expanded specifically in response to public demand. “We listened to the people. There was an overwhelming call from civil society, local officials, and young citizens alike to open up more venues. It became a collective aspiration.”
Sport as a Pillar of Public Health and Urban Development
For Siafi, the festival represents much more than an athletic celebration—it reflects a strategic investment in public health and community identity. “Sport today is an integral part of public health policy. We no longer build parks and plazas without integrating sport infrastructure. This is about giving meaning to public space and turning it into a living environment.”
The festival is aligned with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s national vision, particularly his directive to strengthen school and university sports. A major section of the festival will focus on youth enrolled in educational institutions. “These young people are citizens first, and their right to leisure and athletic development must be honored,” Siafi said.
Inclusion at the Core: Persons with Disabilities and Tailored Programming
True to its inclusive vision, the festival will also dedicate programs to persons with disabilities. “A separate, dignified, and dynamic program has been developed to ensure full participation by all community members,” added Siafi. “From artistic sports to chess, and from adapted games to competitive team sports, the idea is simple: everyone belongs.”
A Galaxy of Algerian Sports Icons as Ambassadors
Fueling the enthusiasm around the event is a stellar lineup of Algerian sports ambassadors, including Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi, national team coach Madjid Bougherra, actor and athlete Khaled Ben Issa, Paralympic gold medalist Iskander Othmani, and canoe-kayak champion Ibrahim Kandouz from Annaba. Social media influencers and content creators have also joined the campaign to extend its reach and visibility among Algeria’s digitally connected youth.
Towards a Culture of Athletic Citizenship
For the Director of Sports, the ultimate success of the festival will lie not only in attendance numbers—which are expected to exceed 1.5 million visitors—but in transforming how Algerians relate to sport. “We want people to come not as passive spectators, but as active participants. Let them experience competition, interact with professional and amateur athletes, and be inspired to integrate sports into their daily lives.”
Siafi concluded by announcing the launch of a dedicated online platform, providing comprehensive details about the festival schedule, venues, transportation, and registration. The initiative marks another step forward in Algeria’s broader agenda to promote physical health, community engagement, and the strategic revalorization of public space.
