With 100 young men and women representing 10 Arab nations - Bahrain, Iraq, Somalia, Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon, Kuwait, Qatar, Sudan, and Yemen - the Games underscored that the bonds of sport are stronger than the divisions of politics or geography. In a powerful symbolic gesture, Palestine was named the honorary guest of the tournament despite being unable to field a delegation, affirming the unwavering solidarity of Arab youth and offering tribute to its martyrs.
Over several days, participants engaged in 10 diverse sporting and cultural activities, ranging from table tennis, speedball, swimming, darts, and orienteering to recreational and electronic games. Off the court, athletes also joined a training course on sports diplomacy and attended a thought-provoking conference on the role of specialised federations in advancing sustainable development across the Arab world, proving that these Games were as much about ideas as they were about competition.
The grand opening, staged at the Port Said Hotel Stadium, brought together an impressive roster of Arab sports leaders and dignitaries, including Governor of Port Said Mohab Habashi, Director of Sports at the League of Arab States Minister Faisal Ghassal, First Assistant to the Minister of Youth and Sports Ismail Al-Far, Emad Al-Banani, representing the Union of Arab Sports Federations, and Deputy Minister and head of the Central Administration for Sports Development Amr Al-Haddad.
They were joined by General Director of Specialised Federations Mahmoud Abdel-Aziz, journalist and President of the Arab Federation for Sports Culture Ashraf Mahmoud who conceived and organised the Games; President of the Arab Federation for Companies Sports Ahmed Ismail, Vice President of the Arab University Sports Federation Mohamed Sobhi Hassanein, and renowned actor Sameh Al-Sereiti, serving as Ambassador of Arab Sports Culture.
The ceremony was marked by heartfelt speeches emphasising the power of youth gatherings in fostering Arab unity through values-driven sport, free from fanaticism and destructive rivalry. Port Said Governor Habashi officially inaugurated the Games and lit the ceremonial torch.
The Games concluded at Porto Said Club with a closing ceremony attended by Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi, who is president of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Youth and Sports, alongside senior sports leaders and local officials.
In a powerful gesture of solidarity, Palestine was the guest of honor at the inaugural edition of the Specialised Games. Although the Palestinian delegation was unable to attend, the organising committee ensured that the nation’s presence was symbolically celebrated, reaffirming the deep bonds that unite Arab peoples beyond borders and circumstances.
By naming Palestine as guest of honor, the organisers sent a message of support and recognition, paying tribute to its people and martyrs, while underscoring that the spirit of Arab sportsmanship is one of unity, resilience and shared destiny.
The ceremony, filled with music, cultural performances and the lighting of the Games’ torch, highlighted the event’s mission: to strengthen Arab solidarity, promote values of peace and cooperation, and emphasise that what unites Arab youth through sport is far greater than what divides them.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 21 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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