Turkish Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen said that youth are the hope and future of nations, and highlighted the power of sports to foster friendship and unity between countries.
“We aim to organise friendship and brotherhood matches between Türkiye and Egypt, both at the club and national team levels,” Ambassador Şen said.
His remarks came during a Youth and Sports Day celebration, where he welcomed a large gathering of guests, particularly young people, to his residence.
Ambassador Şen announced plans for a friendly football match this year between the Turkish and Egyptian U21 national teams, coinciding with the centenary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
He also noted ongoing discussions with Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports to further enhance bilateral cooperation in this field.
Highlighting Egypt’s bright future and dynamic youth, Şen praised the sporting talents of both nations. He cited Adem Asil, an Egyptian gymnast who became a world champion while representing Türkiye, calling him “our shared pride” and recalling the athlete’s visit to the embassy last year.
The Ambassador also mentioned Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Real Madrid’s Arda Güler as inspiring role models for Egyptian and Turkish youth alike.
Furthermore, he expressed the enthusiasm of Turkish national teams to participate in regional and international competitions hosted by Egypt, referencing the recent Karate World Championship in Cairo, where a Turkish athlete of Egyptian origin, Zein, competed.
The event itself featured a variety of sporting competitions, including table tennis, arm wrestling, and archery, with active participation from young attendees.
Youth and Sports Day, celebrated on May 19, is a national holiday in Türkiye, dedicated by the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, to the country’s youth.
