By Hend GadAllah

Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports, witnessed the opening of the World Cup of Gymnastics in Cairo 2022, as part of the series of world championships qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics, in the presence of Dr. Khaled Shoukry, Head of the Sports Authority of the Armed Forces, Dr. Ihab Amin, President of the African and Egyptian Gymnastics Federations, and Engineer Sherif El-Erian, Secretary General of the Olympic Committee, President of the Modern Pentathlon Federation, and the heads of the continental federations.

He expressed his happiness at Egypt’s hosting of the World Cup for artistic gymnastics for men and women, which qualifies for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, praising the leaders of the Egyptian Federation headed by Dr. Ihab Amin and their great efforts during the recent period, which was embodied in hosting Egypt for major world championships.

“The Egyptian state is under the leadership of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi; It is now ready to host all major sporting events after the infrastructure of sports facilities has become at an optimal level in accordance with the requirements and standards of all international federations. The Minister concluded his speech by saying: "In the name of Allah ...we inaugurate the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Egypt."

Dr. Hassan Mostafa, President of the International Handball Federation, expressed his happiness with the great development witnessed by gymnastics in Egypt. In the past, we had opportunities to compete in major tournaments, and now gymnastics is among the games that have a great ability to compete internationally, thanks for the support of the political leadership and the efforts of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy.

The Japanese, Mori Watanabe, confirmed that he is proud of Egypt for hosting the World Cup for artistic gymnastics for men and women, and that Egypt has a special pride on the personal and human level, indicating that he is very happy to be in the land of the Pharaohs.

Dr. Ihab Amin Said that the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation succeeded in placing Egypt on the ranks of the major countries in artistic gymnastics during the last period, expressing his thanks and appreciation to the Egyptian state represented by Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, who did his best and support during the last period. we should be proud of what Egypt has achieved during the past years and that we have a strong infrastructure capable of hosting major world championships, as well as the presence of a large number of young cadres capable of organizing and supervising them.

The tournament will witness strict precautionary measures to protect the participating delegations from Covid 19 and adhere to the preventive instructions from the Ministry of Health.

The indoor hall complex at Cairo International Stadium is expected to host the 2022 World Cup for Artistic Gymnastics for men and women, which is held from 17 to 21 March. 287 players representing 35 countries will participate: Ukraine, despite the current circumstances. The countries came as follows: Egypt Host country Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Morocco, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine, America, Uzbekistan, India, and Qatar.