By: Nabila Essam

Under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports opened the Egyptian Child Olympics on behalf of the Prime Minister.

On behalf of Prime Minister Dr. Moustafa Madbouly, Sports Minister Dr. Ashraf Sobhy opened the Egyptian Child Olympics on Monday's evening, October 12, 2020, at Olympic Center in Maadi, which is being organized under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, amid strong competition among children from all the governorates over the last period. Hisham Abbas performed in the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was attended by Assistants and Undersecretaries of the Minister, presidents of Central Administrations of the Ministry, a group of leaders of the Ministry and youth and sports Directorates from all governorates of Egypt, karate player Giana Farouq, the first Egyptian, African and Arab athlete who qualifies for the Olympics, and player Samar Hamdy.

The opening ceremony witnessed a parade of teams participants and many artistic and sports performances which were held by children from Smouha, El-Shalalat, Kafr Tohormos, Mit Akaba, Giza, El-Mashabik, Port Fouad, and Al-Anfoushy Sports Youth Centers, in addition to a performance by singer Hisham Abbas, during which he performed Farha, Masr Betsalem Alikom, and Altarik Elsah songs. The opening also witnessed the raising of the Olympic Flag, taking the Olympic Oath by trainers and players, flame igniting, and singing a special song for the championship.

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy delivered the greetings and appreciations of the Egyptian Prime Minister for the attendees and the competitors, stressing that the activities and the plans of the Ministry are consistent with the vision of the political leadership under president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which aims at achieving convergence in sports and achieving good values, loyalty, sense of patriotism, and confronting anyone who conveys an unpleasant image of Egypt through Egyptian youth and children. The Egyptian Child Olympics is a simulation of the Olympic Games.

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports launched the Child Olympics flame in last August at the Olympic Center in Maadi, followed by flame igniting in various governorates, with the participation of Youth Central Administration, Central Administration for Sports Development, Central Administration for Cultural and volunteer programs, and Youth and Sports Directorates of the governorates. There are 67 children who participate in the second season of these Olympics.

Dr. Azza Al-Dury, Head of the Central Administration of youth, thanked all the success partners, including the participants and competitors, the directorates of youth and sports in the governorates, and the ministry’s personnel.

The winners and qualifiers for the Olympics are from governorates of El-Menofia, Ismailia, Sohag, Alexandria, Luxor, Qalyubia, and Giza and the qualified games are karate, taekwondo, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, athletics, shot put, football, handball, and other games.