By: Nabila Essam

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, inaugurated the African Weightlifting Championship, which will be hosted by Egypt from October 27 to November 1, in the halls complex at Cairo International Stadium.

The opening ceremony was attended by Professor Khaled Mehalhel, President of the African Weightlifting Federation, Major General Hossam Khedr, Head of the Military Sports Authority, Mohamed Abdel Maksoud, President of the Egyptian Weightlifting Federation, members of the Board of Directors of the Egyptian Weightlifting Federation, Dr. Walid El Mallah, Chairman of Rawabet Sports Company, a group of public figures and leaders of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. 

During his speech, the Minister of Youth and Sports welcomed the guests of Egypt for their attendance and participation in the championship, and thanked Khaled Mehalhel, President of the African Confederation, for his continuous support to the Egyptian Weightlifting Federation, noting that Egyptian sports are at the top of the state's priorities, which receive great support from the political leadership. 

Sobhy praised the efforts made by the Egyptian Federation headed by Mohamed Abdel-Maksoud, stressing the full support of the weightlifting champions, noting that everyone is waiting for the weightlifting champions to take the podiums in the African Championship, and he is waiting for more at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy pointed out that Egypt has become a place for various international and continental federations to host their events and championships, and this would not have been achieved without the availability of the elements, capabilities and organizational expertise that characterizes Egypt, the great boom witnessed by the sports infrastructure, and the level of security and stability that the country is experiencing under the leadership of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Sisi.

For his part, Khaled Al-Mehalhel, President of the Federation of African Weightlifting, expressed his happiness with the Egyptian political leadership's support for all sports federations to host international championships, while overcoming all difficulties for the success of those championships. 

The CAF President also thanked the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, for his support and following up on all the details of the tournament, to get out of the tournament that is being held on the land of Egypt in its best form. 

For his part, Mohamed Abdel-Maqsoud, head of the Egyptian Weightlifting Federation, stressed that everyone did not skimp on the effort for the success of the tournament, and thanked the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, who provided all means of support to the federation and the players.