Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) news agency honoured Friday evening in Tunis the best sportsmen for 2016 elected in the annual referendum it organises annually, with attendance of Mohamed Trabelsi Minister of Social Affairs, Imed Mejbri Secretary of State for Sports, Mehrez Bousayane President of the Tunisian National Olympic Committee (CNOT) as well as several national sports personalities, technicians and experts in sports law.

TAP CEO Hamida El Bour thanked "all those who contributed to the success of this ceremony organised annually by the agency for five years".

"The ceremony honouring the best athletes is a consecration of a remarkable journey accomplished by the laureates during a whole year in which they made many sacrifices to achieve very good performances, thus helping to raise high the national flag on the international sports scene, "she said.

Minister of Social Affairs Mohamed Trabelsi commended the role of the press in spreading the culture of sport, "based on tolerance, solidarity and coexistence".

"The tribute paid to the athletes is a reward to the successful Tunisian youth," he said, emphasising "the brilliant performances of Tunisian athletes at the Rio Olympic Games" and the contribution of sport "in the promotion of Tunisia’s image".

Secretary of State for Sports Imed Mejbri said that "the honour given to the best athletes in 2016 is an important opportunity to showcase the great efforts made by athletes to honour Tunisian sport in the international sport events, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games. "

CNOT President Mehrez Bousayane highlighted "the role of sports press in publicising Tunisian sports achievements", praising in this regard the initiative taken by TAP to organise an annual referendum on best Tunisian sportsmen.

The ceremony was marked by the presence of the athletes crowned at the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and the best soccer player of the year and Esperance striker Taha Yassine Khenissi.

source: TAP