Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development and Minister of Health and Population, held a meeting with Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, and Mr. Lions Eider, President of the International University Sports Federation, to discuss avenues for joint cooperation. This meeting is part of Egypt’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its collaboration with international sports authorities.
The meeting coincided with the visit of the International University Sports Federation delegation to Egypt, on the sidelines of Egypt hosting the General Assembly of the African University Sports Federation from February 20 to 25, 2025. The event also marks the opening of the African University Sports Federation’s office for the first time in Egypt.
Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the discussion focused on potential collaborations to develop the sports system, especially for university students. Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar praised the efforts involved in organizing the International Sports and Economic Expo, “Sport Expo,” and the “SocoX” Conference, both of which aim to promote Egypt’s role in Africa and foster mutually beneficial relationships within the university sports sector.
The meeting also delved into the International University Sports Federation’s global experience with the “Healthy Campus” competition, which has been active for several years. This competition aims to create a healthy and integrated university community, promoting proper nutrition and mental health, alongside access to proper sports facilities. The Ministry of Health is committed to enhancing the participation of Egyptian universities in this competition, with a focus on increasing the number of students engaging in professional sports.
Discussions also highlighted the need to develop specialized human resources for organizing sports competitions and festivals and creating a program for organizing global sporting events. This program could be beneficial for countries with advanced sports facilities, fostering expertise exchange in event management.
Dr. Ashraf emphasized the commitment to enhance the status of university sports in Egypt in alignment with the “Egypt 2030” vision. He underscored the recent development of major sports facilities across the country, which has contributed to improving Egypt’s international reputation. He also highlighted the leadership role Egypt plays on the global sports stage.
On the other hand, Lions Eider expressed his gratitude to Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar and Dr. Ashraf Sobhi for their continuous support in promoting university sports. He commended Egypt’s strong university sports system, supported by political leadership, and noted the significant backing for Egyptian sports since Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar’s appointment as Deputy Prime Minister for Human Development.
