Winning streak

Major transformations happened in Egypt’s sports field in the past ten years, giving substance to the positive changes caused by the June 30 Revolution of 2013.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has placed sports at the top of the national development agenda, opening the door for the empowerment of the nation’s athletes.

This reflected on these athletes’ abilities to prevail in international, regional and continental tournaments.

The Egyptian leader considers sports a national security issue. This has served as a powerful motivator for everyone involved in this field.

This presidential mind-set has instilled a sense of purpose and national pride in athletes, driving them to excel in regional and international competitions.

This commitment is evident in the numerous championship titles and continental and international medals secured by Egyptian athletes in the past ten years.

The governmental so significantly invested in sports infrastructure in these years.

New facilities, including the Egypt Olympic Games City in the Administrative Capital, were constructed or being constructed.

Existing facilities, like the halls of Cairo Stadium, which hosted the World Men’s Handball Championship in 2021, were totally renovated.

Additionally, youth centres across the country were revitalized, providing training space for aspiring athletes.

Under Sisi, Egypt also emerged as a leading global centre for major sports events. The African country successfully hosted the 2019 African Cup of Nations, garnering international praise for its exceptional organization.

This achievement further cemented Egypt’s position as a major player in the African sporting landscape.

Egyptian football experienced resurgence as well. The national team reached the final of the African Cup of Nations in 2017 and, more importantly, qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, ending a 28-year absence.

The U-23 national team secured victory at the African Cup of Nations and qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, marking a historic achievement for Egyptian youth football.

These developments come as the government demonstrates an unprecedented commitment to foster a generation of empowered youth and elevate Egypt’s sporting prowess on the global stage.

Significant investments in infrastructure have been a cornerstone of this progress.

Over 22 billion Egyptian pounds were allocated for the construction of sports facilities in the past ten years, according to a recent report by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, including 4,282 sports fields and 12 youth and sports cities.

The same amount of money was also used in the refurbishment of 14 stadiums.

The government also launched several initiatives to identify and nurture young talents.

Programmes, such as the National Project for Talent and the Olympic Champion, the National Project for Motor Talent, and Capitano Egypt,explore and cultivate promising athletes across various disciplines.

These efforts are complemented by the Junior-Youth-Olympic Football Team Development Project which focuses on building future national football teams.

Egypt’s dedication to sports development has already bone fruit.

This African nation currently holds the top ranking in the world classification of four sporting federations, while maintaining strong presence within the top 10 in an additional 11.

Notably, 15 Egyptian athletes have secured the number one position in individual world rankings.

Egypt’s leadership extends beyond its borders, with the country hosting permanent headquarters for several sports federations.

Thirty-five Egyptians currently hold prominent positions within continental and international sports organizations.

Egyptian athletes have translated these advancements into tangible success.

The aforementioned Ministry of Youth and Sports report details an impressive tally of 2,800 medals, encompassing gold, silver, and bronze, across international, continental, and Arab championships.

Paralympic athletes have also achieved remarkable results, securing 584 medals with the participation of 350 competitors.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Strategy outlines a clear road map for the future.

This strategy focuses on promoting sports participation across the nation, fostering a competitive and creative environment, and achieving sustained leadership across all disciplines.

The strategy also aims to position Egypt as a premier host of international sports events and tournaments.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has launched the Kayani mobile application, a unique platform designed to streamline youth development initiatives.

The platform serves as a one-stop resource for young Egyptians, providing them with a comprehensive view of youth-oriented programmes and activities offered by governmental, private, and international organizations.

This innovative platform fosters communication between youth and the government, encouraging their positive participation in shaping their future.

The report underscores the importance of collaboration in achieving these successes.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has established strategic partnerships with various entities, including Microsoft, Care Egypt, the Ministry of Manpower, and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development.

These partnerships have facilitated the execution of vital initiatives, such as the Develop and Change entrepreneurship programme, the Badir Entrepreneurship Initiative, and the Every Innovative Entrepreneur Grant Programme.

The report recognizes the significant support provided by the president and the prime minister of Egypt.

Several initiatives, including the Egyptian Child Olympiad, the differently-abled Celebration, and the Nasser Scholarship for International Leadership, have received the president’s sponsorship.

The report also acknowledges the sponsorship provided by the First Lady for initiatives empowering young women.

Prime Ministerial support has also been instrumental in the success of programmes like Talent in Arabic, Children of the World Festival, and the International Artificial Intelligence Forum.