Egypt is positioning itself as a major hub for international golf as Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy attended a global press conference hosted by the Egyptian Golf Federation to officially announce its 2026 strategy, which includes hosting 13 international professional golf tournaments between January and April 2026.
The high-profile event brought together senior figures from the global golf community, including Omar Hisham Talaat, President of the Egyptian Golf Federation; Maj. Gen. Abdullah Al Hashemi, President of the UAE Golf Federation; Keith Waters, CEO of the MENA Tour; Christian Arns, CEO of the Pro Golf Tour; and Alessandro Bia, Operations Director of the Alps Tour, alongside other international tour officials.
Boosting Sports Tourism and Individual Athletics
The announcement aligns with Egypt’s broader national strategy to expand sports participation, elevate individual sports, and leverage golf as a driver of sports tourism and youth development. Officials emphasized that golf’s global appeal and high economic impact make it a key pillar in promoting Egypt as a premier destination for international sporting events.
During the conference, a documentary highlighting the history and growth of golf in Egypt was screened, followed by a detailed presentation of the federation’s roadmap for the coming years. The plan focuses on expanding grassroots participation, talent identification, elite athlete development, and strengthening partnerships with clubs, sponsors, and international tours.
Minister: Golf Is a “Promising Sport” for Egypt
Speaking at the event, Minister Ashraf Sobhy reaffirmed the government’s strong support for golf as one of Egypt’s most promising individual sports.
“Golf is a sport in which Egypt has all the elements for success and distinction at both the regional and international levels,” Sobhy said. “We fully support the Egyptian Golf Federation’s strategy to expand participation, link the sport with tourism and urban development, and significantly grow its player base.”
He described the decision to host 13 consecutive international professional tournaments as “innovative and transformative,” praising the federation’s leadership for what he called a “qualitative leap” in the sport’s development.
Sobhy also highlighted the importance of regional and international cooperation, noting that partnerships with the MENA Tour, Alps Tour, and Pro Golf Tour represent a successful model for sustainable sports development.
$750,000 in Prize Money, Global Ranking Points
According to Omar Hisham Talaat, the 2026 calendar will feature a total prize pool of $750,000, including four MENA Tour events, five Alps Tour tournaments, and four Pro Golf Tour competitions.
The tournaments will be staged across some of Egypt’s most prestigious golf courses, including New Giza, Marassi, Madinaty, Sokhna, Dreamland, and Allegria—venues selected to showcase Egypt’s diverse tourism offerings while maximizing exposure for local players.
“These events reflect our commitment to creating clear pathways for Egyptian golfers to compete internationally and pursue Olympic qualification,” Talaat said. “Hosting tournaments on different courses also helps promote tourism and allows our players to gain experience against diverse playing styles.”
All tournaments will award Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points for professionals, as well as World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points, significantly enhancing opportunities for Egyptian golfers to advance on the global stage.
Expanding Reach Through Digital Broadcasting
The federation confirmed that all tournaments will be broadcast via social media platforms, ensuring broad domestic and international visibility and helping grow the sport’s popularity among younger audiences.
With its 2026 plan, Egypt is signaling its ambition to become a regional powerhouse in professional golf—combining elite competition, tourism promotion, and youth development in a tightly integrated sports strategy that could reshape the game’s footprint in the Middle East and Africa.
