Algerian athletes are a major force in international competition, especially in middle and long-distance running, high jump, and hammer-throwing events. The distance-runners Hassiba Boulmerka and Noureddine Mourceli are both Algerian. In 1998 Mourceli held the men’s world records at 1,500 metres, 1 mile, and 2,000 metres. He also held the all-African record at 1,000 metres. His world 1,500 metres record still stands.

Algerian boxers, among them Mustapha Moussa and Ahmed Bouniche, also have a high profile in international competitions, and regularly scoop gold medals at a range of weights in all-Africa boxing championships. The Algerian handball team has reached quarter and semi-finals in the world championships.

Martial arts, especially judo, have a big following among young Algerians. There is a North African martial art called El Matreg. In this, two players fight using long sticks – the idea is to score points by outwitting and out-manoeuvering your opponent.

Boules (a French form of bowls) and dominoes are common social pastimes.

There is a popular children’s game which is played on pavements, or in the street. A snake shape is drawn on the ground, with boxes numbered 1-20, including five ‘jail’ boxes. The players – one on one, two against two, and so on – throw a bottle-top to land in one box or another. If your bottle-top lands in a jail box, you return to the start. You can also knock out your opponent’s bottle-top by hitting it, and then your opponent has to start again from scratch. The first to reach box 20 is the winner.

Photo James Hawkins/Oxfam