By Hend GadAllah

3 thousand participants and 250 kilos in 20 countries

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy: Our mission is the Egyptian citizens' health and special programs for our inhabitants abroad.

The 30-day challenge project is considered a virtual sporting challenge implemented by the Sports Tourism Department at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It is an ideal example of what is happening in the whole world, as nearly 3000 contestants participated, including 120 Egyptians of our children abroad, up till now, the distances that they have covered are approximately 250 KM in 20 countries.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports, in cooperation and coordination with the Ministry of State for Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs, announced the program of "30 days virtual sports challenge” to encourage Egyptian family members to practice sports activities from anywhere. They can practice those activities, with the participation of Egyptian communities abroad. Participants register for the "30 Days Challenge" program within the flexible use of virtual reality technology, which allows participation at the appropriate time for each individual and in his spare time, without being restricted to a specific day, time, or place to participate. The participant, who completes the challenge, gets Medals and certificates of participation, which they receive at their place of residence.

The Ministry identified several sports for the challenge as running - walking - motorcycles - kayaks - hand caps for people with special abilities "wheelchairs only". The participant carries out the sports activity for a period not exceeding 30 days (1 to 30 August) and under the terms of each sport announced by the Ministry, and also the methods of registering participation in the challenge. 

The challenges included are varied, for example, walking 25 or 50 km, walking with wheelchairs 25 km or 50 km, running 50 or 100 km, bicycles 100 or 200 km, kayak 15 or 25 km Kilo, motorcycles 1000 km.

The campaign is based on documenting the challenge by the participants and completing it over 30 days. Only one challenge is required which is suitable for the participant’s physical fitness, and the age is at least 16 years old.

This reflects the keenness of the Egyptian state institutions to pay attention to sports and the Egyptians’ health. Egyptian communities abroad of all ages, especially the second and third generation, have begun to participate in the "30 Days Challenge" program since the beginning of this August. 

Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports, confirmed that the "30 Days Challenge" program is a continuation strategy of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in implementing many sports and youth activities that it provides to Egyptian youth whether inside or outside Egypt. It emanates from the state general vision led by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, and it is an application of social distancing and precautionary measures to prevent the outbreak of the new Coronavirus.

There is a great deal of interaction among the participants in the program through various social media sites in several countries, like the Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, England, the United States of America, and others. It reflects their keenness to participate in all the national activities that are announced in Egypt, their home country.

He added that the participants who complete the challenge will receive medals and certificates. They will be delivered to them at their place of residence, and certificates will be assigned to Egyptians Expatriates via e-mail.