The opening ceremony of the African Weightlifting Championship No. 29 for men and No. 18 for women which qualifies for Tokyo 2020 and held from 23rd to 30th of April 2019, was held today in hall 2 of Cairo International Stadium.

Dr. Mohamed El-Kourdy, Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports and Representative of Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, welcomed the participants of the Championship especially that the championship qualifies for Tokyo 2020 and hosting this championship by Egypt is a proof of the country’s interest in sport and its ability to host such major international and continental championships.

Mr. Mahmoud Mahgoub, President of the Egyptian Weightlifting Federation, thanked the Weightlifting Federation of Africa (WFA) for choosing Egypt to be the hosting country of the Championship, praising the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the sponsoring companies for helping the Federation to make a successful championship that worthy of Egypt’s African and International position.

Mr. Khaled Mehalhel, President of Weightlifting Federation of Africa (WFA), expressed his happiness for being in Egypt again, wishing the best for all the participants and the success of the Championship.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Khaled Mehalhel, President of Weightlifting Federation of Africa (WFA), Hisham Hatab, President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee in addition to Tima Hervas, Delegate of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), and Sherif El-Arian, Secretary General of the Olympic Committee.

15 countries confirmed their participation in the championship: Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Kenya, Lesotho, Ghana, Botswana, Cameroon, Madagascar, Nigeria, Morocco, South Africa, Mauritius and Libya.