At the start of a short but busy visit to Paris, Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi met President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Andrew Parsons. Sobhi arrived Friday and left Saturday, a 36-hour visit, reports Abeer Anwar from Paris.
Sobhi, visiting the French capital for a second time in less than a month, congratulated Parsons on the “successful organisation” of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games held from 28 August to 8 September. “I had the privilege of attending the Olympic Games here in Paris, and I must say that there is a significant difference in atmosphere,” Parsons said. “I hope the future of the Paralympic movement continues to improve. Moreover, I hope that you can extend your support to the Egyptian Paralympic Committee and help further the Paralympic movement in Egypt.”
Parsons noted his longstanding friendship with Hossameddin Mustafa, president of the Egyptian Paralympic Committee (EPC), a relationship spanning more than 20 years. “We are very close,” Parsons said. “I have visited Egypt on a few occasions, including trips to Cairo and Ismailia for a volleyball event in 2006, and also attended a meeting of continental presidents.”
Sobhi highlighted how much Egypt has evolved since 2006. “Egypt has seen considerable development over the years,” he said. Parsons pointed to the country’s progress as the reason why Egypt was chosen to host the prestigious VISTA conference in 2025. The VISTA conference provides a platform for sport scientists to meet with experts in the field of sport for athletes with an impairment.
“For us, Egypt is a nation in development, with strong grassroots and high-performance programmes. We recognise the significant support your government provides, and for that, we thank you, minister.”
Sobhi emphasised the strides Egypt has made under President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, particularly since 2014 when the “New Republic”, embarking on a new era, was envisioned. “We have launched numerous initiatives, including ensuring equal treatment for both able-bodied and para-athletes. This includes equal bonuses, grants, training camps, plans, prize money, and coaching staff.”
Sobhi said he had made it a point to visit Egypt’s Olympians during the Paris Olympics which ended last month, “and now I have returned for our Paralympians. We are fostering genuine inclusion for all our athletes. Furthermore, we have the necessary facilities to host the 2027 Olympic and Paralympic African Games. One of our most notable achievements is the construction of one of the largest Olympic villages in Africa and the Middle East” — located in the New Administrative Capital and spanning five million square metres — “which has all the essential facilities to host major sporting events.”
“I must come and see this facility,” Parsons, impressed, said.
Sobhi related the visit to Egypt in 2022 by Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and his meeting with President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi. After viewing the new Olympic Village, Bach offered his full support for Egypt and Africa’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
However, Sobhi said Egypt might have a better chance bidding for the 2040 Games, given the intense competition for the 2036 edition.
“It’s great to hear that,” added Parsons who also serves on the IOC Future Host Commission for the Summer Games.
Sobhi highlighted Egypt’s ability to host large-scale events, referencing the country’s management of the World Handball Championship during the Covid-19 pandemic. “We pioneered the ‘four bubbles’ technique to ensure safety, which convinced the world to participate. This, in turn, helped Tokyo implement similar protocols for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Egypt is always ready to rise to the challenge of hosting major events.”
Sobhi detailed how, since 2018, Egypt has focused on becoming a hub for international sporting events. “We have succeeded in this ambition. Since then, we have hosted over 400 official events which also propelled Egyptian experts to serve on the boards of numerous international sports federations.”
Sobhi expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Parsons in both his IOC and IPC roles. “We have several projects with the EPC, and we would like to continue working together to establish an African training hub in Egypt to benefit the entire continent.”
“As a professor of sports sciences myself,” he added, “I fully support the VISTA Conference, and I would like to be involved. We could also hold it alongside our Egyptian Sports Expo, focusing on media and para sports.”
EPC President Mustafa echoed the sentiments, stating his desire to continue working with the IPC on organisational development programmes. “We aim to position Egypt as a model for all African countries to follow. We have comprehensive support from our minister, our government, and across all aspects, financial, administrative and logistical.”
Mustafa said site visits would be organised to the New Olympic Village in the New Administrative Capital in conjunction with several major events, including the World Swimming Series in December 2024, the VISTA Conference, and the World Para Powerlifting Championship in 2025. The events will showcase Egypt’s significant progress in sports development, Mustafa said.
Parsons reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the EPC and Egypt’s efforts to host the 2027 Para African Games. He acknowledged the right people, expertise and world-class facilities Egypt possesses. “We need strong leadership in Africa, and for me, that country is Egypt. You have the potential to lead the continent forward, and we are here to fully support you.”
“We are keen to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the IPC,” Sobhi stated. “Egypt is ready to lead Africa.”
Sobhi also met Samuel Ducrocq, France’s sports ambassador and ambassador of French sports diplomacy. Attended by Egypt’s Ambassador to France Alaa Youssef, the meeting discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Egypt and France in sports and enhance relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, Sobhi highlighted an MOU submitted by Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports to the French side which seeks to maximise expertise and enhance bilateral cooperation in both youth and sports. He emphasised Egypt’s desire to benefit from France’s expertise in hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games, especially as Egypt prepares its bid to host the 2040 Olympics.
“Since 2018, Egypt has successfully hosted over 400 international sporting events, showcasing our capability to organise major tournaments,” Sobhi said. “Egypt is keen to leverage this success by collaborating with the French side to tap into their expertise in organising large-scale events and developing sports infrastructure.”
Sobhi also extended an official invitation to Ducrocq to visit Egypt to see first-hand the country’s advanced sports infrastructure “which is now prepared to host even more major global tournaments”, Sobhi said.
Ducrocq praised Egypt’s achievements in hosting major sporting events, particularly during Covid-19. He lauded Egypt’s leadership in this domain, as evidenced by the holding of the Handball World Championship, which he said posed a global challenge. Ducrocq also expressed his eagerness to enhance sports cooperation between the two nations, noting Egypt’s vast potential in the sports sector.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 12 September, 2024 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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