As part of its strategic push to promote Egypt as a premier sports tourism destination, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has kicked off the Red Sea Sports Tourism Festival, with the headline event being the 5th edition of the Gouna Water Sports Festival. The festival, held under the patronage of the ministry, is a key fixture in the growing calendar of international sports events hosted by Egypt.
This year’s Gouna Water Sports Festival brings together elite athletes and water sports enthusiasts from around the world, competing in thrilling disciplines such as wakeboarding and kite surfing. Organized by Fly Event and held under the supervision of the Egyptian Sailing and Water Ski Federation, the event has drawn considerable international attention and continues to position El Gouna and the Red Sea region as a global hub for aquatic sports.
Key figures attending the festival include Ahmed Habash, President of the Egyptian Sailing and Water Ski Federation, Sherif El Samra, Executive Director of the championship, Ahmed Abdel Khaleq, Director of Sports Tourism and Events at the Ministry, and Farag Abdel Maqsoud, Director of the Youth and Sports Directorate in the Red Sea Governorate.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the festival was described as part of a broader national vision to enhance Egypt’s presence on the international sports map. The Red Sea Sports Tourism Festival is an annual initiative led by the ministry to combine athletic excellence with leisure, environmental appreciation, and cultural tourism.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, highlighted that Egypt has become a regional powerhouse in hosting major international sports events. He praised the integration of tourism and sport through such festivals, noting that Egypt’s advanced infrastructure, stunning natural landscapes, and stable security environment make it a highly attractive destination for global sports tourism.
Dr. Sobhy also commended the Red Sea Governorate and El Gouna for their crucial role in hosting and supporting the festival. He expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by local authorities to provide all logistical and operational support necessary to ensure the success of the event.
The Gouna Water Sports Festival has rapidly grown into one of the most anticipated events in the Middle East’s sports tourism calendar. With each edition, the festival not only attracts more international participants but also boosts local tourism, contributes to the economy, and promotes eco-friendly water sports across Egypt.
As the festival continues throughout the week, visitors and competitors alike are enjoying world-class competitions in an idyllic Red Sea setting, reinforcing Egypt’s rising status as a leading regional destination for sports, leisure, and adventure tourism.
