“My son’s escape from the accommodations of the Tunisian national team was not an easy choice; it was a reaction to the neglect he faced from the sports officials in his country. He could have continued his journey as an upcoming Olympic champion had he received the necessary support and encouragement.” With these words, Latifa Ben Omar, mother of Africa’s weightlifting champion, shared her insights with Al Jazeera about her son’s escape alongside other weightlifters from the youth national team, which was preparing to participate in the World Championship in Spain.
Although the incident was not surprising to those familiar with the conditions faced by individual sport athletes in Tunisia, it reopened the discussion surrounding the issue of secret migration, reflecting a strong desire to escape the poverty that many athletes endure.
In a country where football and some team sports dominate public interest and lucrative salaries, the phenomenon of athletes exploiting their participation in competitions in Europe to escape and remain there has become alarming. Accusations have been exchanged between sports officials in individual sports federations and the athletes and their families, complicating the situation further.
Latifa Ben Omar speaks about her family’s struggles in the Chahed neighborhood, one of the most marginalized and impoverished areas of Tunisia, where the youth often face severe social and economic challenges. She had high hopes for her son Hamza, who has earned numerous accolades in weightlifting, but feels disheartened by the neglect her family has experienced. “We received nothing but indifference. Despite the sacrifices I made, my dream was for my son to live as a champion, but we found no support,” says Latifa.
She emphasizes that her son had never considered migration until he won the gold medal at the African Championship. However, the failure to receive the promised financial grant significantly impacted him, pushing him to seek better living conditions abroad. Latifa urges officials to return her son’s passport and provide him with the deserved benefits, reiterating their love for Tunisia and their desire to succeed under its flag.
It’s worth noting that Hamza Ben Omar, Segir Al-Jabali, and Lujin Amara vanished before reaching their team’s accommodations in Lyon, Spain, shocking the sports community. The Ministry of Sports has announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the athletes’ escape.
As Tunisian athletes continue to seek better opportunities, some officials believe that such illegal migration results in the loss of athletic talent that could elevate Tunisia’s status in international competitions.
