A week after he was reappointed as part of a cabinet reshuffle, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi, in an exclusive interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, explored the transformative journey of Egyptian sports under his leadership, the visionary direction of President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi since the president took office in 2014, and the latest preparations and expectations for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Sobhi, who was first appointed in 2018, also shared with the Weekly profound insights into the comprehensive strategy that has positioned Egypt as a formidable force in the global sports arena, outlining the advancements of and future aspirations for Egyptian sports.
Sobhi, 56, highlighted the pivotal role of state directives in shaping the current landscape of Egyptian sports. “Under President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi’s guidance, Egypt has embarked on a transformative journey that has significantly enhanced the infrastructure and facilities for athletes,” Sobhi said. “This vision has been translated into innovative approaches by the Ministry of Youth and Sports ensuring that sports facilities are state-of-the-art and conducive to nurturing champions. The focus has been on creating an environment where athletes can thrive, which has been a cornerstone of the strategy to elevate Egypt’s status in international sports.”
He elaborated on the importance of world-class sports facilities in the development of athletes, asserting that the facilities “are a critical part of the athletic development process, providing the necessary environment for athletes to excel. Currently, Cairo is among the top six cities globally for hosting major sports events, thanks to our world-class infrastructure.”
He said the emphasis on infrastructure was part of a broader strategy to make Egypt a hub for international sports events, thus creating opportunities for athletes to compete at the highest levels within the country.
Concerning national plans aimed at finding and developing talent, Sobhi highlighted the National Talent Project and the National Project for Champion Preparation. “These projects were started from scratch, creating scientific incubators for players with a clear objective. The focus is on systematic and scientific training methods to ensure the production of world-class athletes.
“These projects have already shown remarkable results, with increased participation and improved performance in various sports. This approach aims to build a robust pipeline of talent that can compete on the global stage, ensuring sustained success for Egyptian sports.”
Sobhi also shed light on the economic and social impact of hosting international sports events. “The impact of hosting international championships in Egypt has been profound, benefiting the country in three key areas. It has strengthened Egypt’s soft power by building a network of influential relationships with international sports federations. This diplomatic success is reflected in the presence of Egyptian officials in significant positions within these federations, giving Egypt a strong voice in global sports governance.
“Secondly, hosting these events has boosted tourism,” Sobhi said, stating that over two million tourist nights had been generated from sports events, “providing an indirect yet substantial boost to the tourism sector. This influx of visitors promotes Egypt’s image as a premier tourist destination, as seen during the Handball World Championship amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“And these events provide invaluable experience to Egyptian athletes, helping them acclimate to high-level competition environments. The familiarity with world-class facilities and the competitive atmosphere significantly enhance their performance and confidence on the global stage.”
Sobhi also discussed the marketing and promotion of less mainstream sports. He cited the example of the modern pentathlon in which Egypt has become a dominant force, thanks to hosting numerous international events. “This success has increased public awareness and participation in the sport, expanding the base of athletes and enhancing the country’s overall sports performance.”
The minister stressed the importance of making sports a way of life for all Egyptians. “We have launched numerous initiatives to promote sports across all segments of society. Programmes like ‘Your Bike Your Health’ and various marathons are designed to encourage everyone to participate in physical activities. Our goal is to integrate sports into everyday life, making it accessible to every Egyptian. This grassroots approach ensures that the benefits of sports are felt throughout society, promoting health and well-being for all.”
Looking ahead to the Paris 2024 Olympics which starts this month, Sobhi expressed confidence in Egypt’s readiness. “Preparations for the Paris Olympics are on track, with substantial financial support and training programmes provided for the athletes. The state-of-the-art Olympic Sports City in the New Administrative Capital is a testament to our commitment to excellence.
“We aim to surpass our achievements in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and secure more medals,” he said. This confidence is rooted in the comprehensive preparations and the world-class facilities that will support the athletes in their quest for Olympic glory.
Sobhi predicted that Egypt could win from six to 10 medals in Paris. Egypt won six medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics — the country’s largest number of medals in the history of the Olympic Games — including one gold, one silver and four bronze. The winning sports were karate, the modern pentathlon, wrestling and taekwondo.
On sports for people with disabilities, Sobhi highlighted the inclusive approach adopted by the ministry. He emphasised the integration of athletes with disabilities into mainstream sports, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and equality. “We believe in the integration of athletes with disabilities into mainstream sports. Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where every athlete can thrive,” he affirmed. This approach ensures that all athletes, regardless of their abilities, have the opportunity to compete and excel, promoting a culture of inclusivity and respect.”
Sobhi discussed Egypt’s chances at the Paris Paralympic Games which involves athletes with a range of disabilities and which will be held from 28 August to 8 September. “At the Paris Paralympic Games, Egypt can win at least six medals, as in Tokyo. But we do not put pressure on the athletes. I ask the Paralympic athletes to enjoy the Olympic experience without pressure. There will be no evaluation for the athletes after the Games, but of course, there will be an evaluation for the officials responsible for Paralympic sports.”
He underlined the substantial financial support and training programmes provided for Paralympic athletes. He noted that close to LE132 million have been allocated for Paralympic sports over the past three years. “This funding ensures that athletes have access to top-tier training facilities, coaching and resources necessary for their development. This investment ensures that they have access to the best facilities needed to excel at the highest levels.”
Sobhi shared his aspirations for the future of Egyptian sports, expressing a long-term goal of positioning Egypt as a global hub for sports. “Our long-term goal is to position Egypt as a global hub for sports. We are hosting the 2027 African Games and we are exploring the possibility of hosting the African Paralympic Games and potentially the Olympic Games in the future. These aspirations are backed by thorough feasibility studies to ensure sustainable success. With our advanced infrastructure and strategic planning, I am confident that we are on the right path. This ambitious vision is supported by the strategic investments in infrastructure and talent development, ensuring that Egypt is well-positioned to achieve its goals on the global stage.
“He expressed strong support for Egypt hosting the 2027 African Games in the Olympic City in the New Administrative Capital. The facility, which spans five million square metres and includes world-class stadiums and venues, “symbolises Egypt’s commitment to sporting excellence”.
Addressing the prospect of Egypt hosting the Olympic Games, Sobhi said the idea is still on the table pending detailed feasibility studies. He emphasised the need for meticulous planning to ensure Egypt is fully prepared to host the world’s most watched sports tournament, along with the World Cup. “The focus is on balancing the country’s advanced sports infrastructure with the operational costs required to host the Games successfully.”
Sobhi also talked about inclusiveness. “Our messages are clear and have a common point with the global image of sport and embody the image of the Egyptian state. There is no racism in Egyptian sports. There is complete equality in Egyptian sports, the exercise of rights through sport. There is no discrimination in Egyptian sports. These are our standards and the foundations on which Egyptian sports are based. For example, this year, we have equality between the Egyptian Olympic and Paralympic delegations. The athletes have the same uniforms made by the same companies. The country’s rewards for Olympic medals are the same as for Paralympic medals. Both the Olympic and Paralympic committees enjoy sponsorships worthy of the event.”
The interview with Minister Sobhi reflected what an apparently clear and ambitious roadmap for the future of Egyptian sports would look like. Under his leadership and that of President Al-Sisi, Egypt looks poised to achieve unprecedented heights in the global sports arena, bringing what Sobhi said was “pride and glory to the nation.
“The comprehensive strategy, focused on infrastructure, talent development, economic impact, inclusivity, and long-term vision, sets the stage for a bright future for Egyptian sports.”
* A version of this article appears in print in the 11 July, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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