The Sports Minister: Egypt prepares to establish the largest Sports Centre in Tanzania to be the nucleus for other future centres in Africa
The Minister of Youth and Sports, Ashraf Sobhi, attended the press conference announcing the launch of one of the ministry’s major sports projects in Africa: the establishment of Egyptian sports and youth centres, beginning with Tanzania. This project is established in cooperation with the I FRENDS SPORT Co., as part of strengthening relations between Egypt and other African States in the sports field. The press conference was also attended by Ambassador Ahmed Mostafa, Deputy Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Nile Basin Countries, Amr Mostafa Kamel, Chairman of the Implementing Company’s Board of Directors, and officials from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Minister of Youth and Sports stated: “Egypt prepares to establish the largest Sports Centre in Tanzania to be the nucleus for other future centres in Africa. This marks the Egyptian-African mutual special and respectful relations since its inception, especially in light of the strong fraternal relations with Africa between the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and African States. This, in its turn, impacts all official relations positively, at the political and economic levels, including relations between peoples, at the cultural, social, and commercial levels, and especially sports relations, as one of the most important means of joint action.”
He added: “It is primordial to establish roots of friendship and brotherhood between Egypt’s government and that of African countries, and to develop sports relations and forge partnerships under several common goals, the most important of which is mutual action to support sports and youth activities in Africa given their positive impact on the upbringing of African peoples.”
“This cooperation is established as part of the political leadership’s keenness to open up in Africa several areas of service and constant communication. The objectives are to support relations in various fields, encourage the private sector and Egyptian businessmen to explore the African markets, create investment opportunities to serve equally the interests of both countries, and strengthen relations in various fields, the most important of which is the sports field.” Affirmed Sobhi. He also mentioned that the project is to be implemented in several African countries, in coordination with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Sports Minister added: “This major sports ministerial project -the establishment of youth and sports centres-, beginning with Tanzania, was studied and submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers for evaluation, and it then was agreed upon. Thus, we were able to develop horizon and attract investments in sport.”
For his part, Ambassador Ahmed Mostafa applauded the efforts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports aimed at deepening relations with African countries and establishing various youth and sports facilities. He explained that this would enhance the culture of rapprochement and communication between Egypt and the African peoples, especially the youth of the African continent. He also stressed that Tanzania would be the nucleus for a large-scale Egyptian-African breakthrough in the areas of sports and youth.
During his speech, Amr Mostafa Kamel, Chairman of the Board of Directors of "I Friends Sport Co.", said that the company, in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports, studied the establishment of sports centers and football academies in Africa after visiting many African countries. He mentioned that the 1st phase of the project would begin in the east of the continent and stressed that the purpose of establishing these centers was to strengthen Egypt’s presence in Africa as soft powers, considering Tanzania one of the most important African countries. Lastly, he explained that the investment in sport had a financial reward, giving the examples of establishing sports academies and selling products of the Artificial Grass Co. in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of "I Friends Sport Co." touched upon the component elements of the integrated Egyptian sports center to be established. He said that the center would include the following: legal football stadiums, training pitches, a multi-purpose stadium for basketball, volleyball and handball, an Olympic swimming pool, a tennis court, a fitness center for different games, a track course, a Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy Centre for athletes and non-athletes, an Institute for Studies, Training and Qualifying National Trainers of sports cadres, Exhibition for selling Egyptian products, Medical Clinics, an Administrative Building, Green Areas, a conference hall for members and interlocking flooring.”
During the press conference, a cooperation protocol was signed between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the I Friends Sport Co. The protocol was signed by a representative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dr Ahmed El-Sheikh, Executive Director of the Ministry, and Amr Mostafa Kamel, representative of the implementing company.
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