Egypt Keens on integrating between sports and tourism

By Dina Yehia

Egypt seeks to launch Sports projects that include tourism programmes with the aim of increasing the frequency of tourism as well as setting programmes for unofficial sporting events that contribute to revitalising tourism.

Global sports events will be launched at Soma Bay, a coastal resort located about 45 km south of Hurghada International Airport.

Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhi announced that three international aqua sports competitions will be held in Somabay, located in the Red Sea resort city of Hurghada.

Three international aquatic events including: Water Ballet World Cup, World Beach Water polo qualification tournaments and Open Water Swimming Championship. Additionally, 600 participants worldwide are expected to be taking part throughout the span of the events that will start on May 8-15 2023.

Minister of youth and sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, valued the political leadership’s support for all sports federations, including Egyptian Swimming Federation (ESF).

Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, underlined state’s Keenness on hosting major international tournaments in various games throughout the year.

He placed great emphasis on the importance of taking advantage of Egypt’s potential, including the sports infrastructure built in accordance with international standards, deluxe hotels, modern road and transportation network, in addition to organizational and administrative expertise.
Furthermore, Sobhy stressed his ministry’s support for any plans promoting tourism to Egypt by holding sports events and festivals.

Visions for Egyptian gazette:

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam Affirmed his confidence towards ability of Egyptian Swimming Federation to organize a tournament , to appear in a presentable manner and draw the world’s attention towards our ability to organize similar events, which reinforces the chances for turning Egypt to become a hub for international sports, especially as the first edition of the World Beach Water Polo Championship.

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam said Egyptian organizers share his vision of bringing the aquatics community together more regularly to experience these exciting multi-sport festivals.

He expressed his happiness for Egypt to host the Diving Grand Prix championship, High Diving World Cup, and Artistic Swimming World Series, which come within the framework of the fruitful and effective cooperation between the International Swimming Federation and the Egyptian Swimming Federation.

For his part, Eng. Yasser Idris, Chairman of the Egyptian Swimming Federation, praised the Ministry of Youth and sports’ unlimited support for hosting this series of international sporting events in Egypt.

There are 32 countries that have announced their participation so far, which is a very large number and I expect it to reach 40 countries, Idris said.

Eng. Ibrahim El-Missiri, CEO of Abu Soma Touristic Development Company Confirmed that Ministry of youth and sports , in cooperation with the Egyptian Olympic Committee and sports federations , seeks to create real tourism opportunities by hosting and organising major continental or international sporting events.

“Promoting sports has always been an integral part of Somabay’s strategy, wherein we are keen on creating an enduringly positive impact on the Egyptian sports industry to put Egypt on the global map of hosting major international sporting events.”,Eng. Ibrahim El-Missiri, CEO of Abu Soma Touristic Development Company said.

President of Handball Federation Hassan Mostafa, revealed that in September of last year Egypt will host the 2036 Olympic Games.

Mostafa also lauded Egypt’s efforts, especially thanks to the impressive organisation of the 2019 African Cup of Nations and Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.

Apart from these two successful events, Egypt also hosted the World Handball Championship in 2020, where 32 countries participated, for the first time in the history of the tournament, Mostafa added.