Minister of Sports Attends Al-Ahram Sports Culture Appreciation Awards Ceremony

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, attended Al-Ahram Sports Culture Appreciation Award ceremony, along with Eng. Abdel Sadek El-Shorbagy, Chairman of the National Press Authority, and Dr. Mohamed Fayez Farahat, Chairman of the Al-Ahram Institution.

The ceremony was held in cooperation with the Egyptian Federation for Sports Culture and the Central Administration for Sports Development at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It took place at the National Teams Training Center in Maadi, with the participation of several sports federation presidents, senior journalists, media figures, and public figures.

In his speech, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy emphasized that the award represents an important step in promoting cultural awareness in the sports field. He expressed his pride in the presence of distinguished athletes, sports federation leaders, and media professionals. He highlighted that "print journalism is a deep-rooted legacy led by Al-Ahram," and likened the major Egyptian press institutions—such as Al-Ahram, Al-Akhbar, and Al-Gomhuria—to the prominence of Al-Ahly and Zamalek in Egyptian sports.

The Minister emphasized that sports and journalism run parallel in supporting Egyptian identity, underlining the importance of media collaboration to reinforce sports and cultural values and to highlight positive role models who achieve honorable success.

He also stressed that those who work hard to achieve national objectives deserve recognition. The ceremony reflects the state's appreciation for sports contributions and achievements. He asserted that "respecting state institutions is essential, and preserving their dignity is everyone's responsibility," while calling for collective support of national efforts to build a modern, advanced, and aware society.

The Minister of Youth and Sports also affirmed that the messages of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi are always clear and reflect the state's commitment to building aware and future-ready generations, noting the strong political support for the development of the sports and cultural sectors to strengthen national identity and promote positive values. He highlighted that the Ministry of Youth and Sports serves more than 15 million young people across the country, playing a vital role in equipping youth to face future challenges and engage in community participation.

He also pointed out that culture is the primary tool for development, especially amidst the rapid evolution of media. He stressed the importance of promoting critical thinking and cultural awareness among youth to help them discern accurate information from misinformation.

The minister emphasized the necessity of constructive dialogue and logical reasoning to address challenges, while ensuring the public is accurately informed in light of the spread of misinformation and rumors that could hinder national progress.

Dr. Sobhy mentioned that the ministry is investing in intellectuals and experts to pave the way for fostering a "culture of dialogue" and promoting cultural values. He added that sports convey important educational messages and serve as an effective means of spreading awareness and fostering a sense of belonging among youth.

He concluded by affirming the crucial role of the media in supporting sports culture, noting that the ministry will collaborate with journalists and media professionals to highlight positive figures in Egyptian sports, aligning with the vision of the "New Republic."

Eng. Abdel Sadek El-Shorbagy expressed his delight at attending the ceremony to honor prominent Egyptian sports figures who have represented Egypt internationally. He acknowledged the country's achievements in youth and sports initiatives, in line with the aspirations of the New Republic.

Dr. Mohamed Fayez Farahat described the Al-Ahram Sports Culture Appreciation Award as a significant event that reflects the importance of fostering sports culture as a necessity for societal development.

MR\ Majed Mounir, Editor-in-Chief of Al-Ahram, emphasized that honoring sports figures highlights the role of sports in nation-building. He pointed out that sports are not limited to football, as Egypt boasts champions in various disciplines who deserve recognition.

MR\ Mounir also noted that sports and culture are two sides of the same coin, with sports culture playing a key role in raising social awareness and supporting enlightened thought. He called for media and sports institutions to work together to promote positive values and a culture of excellence, aligning with the state's vision for sustainable development.

The ceremony honored several athletes who achieved remarkable accomplishments for Egypt. Mohamed Salah, captain of the Egyptian national team and Liverpool star, and Omar Marmoush, a player for Manchester City and the Egyptian national team, received the Sports Excellence Award. Olympic champion Ahmed El-Gendy was recognized for the best achievement by an Egyptian athlete.

Other honorees included Eng. Sherif El-Arian, President of the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation, and Olympic weightlifting champion Sara Samir. In the sports achievement category, Olympic fencer Mohamed Elsayed received the Best Sports Achievement Award, while Paralympic weightlifters Rehab Radwan and Mohamed El-Menawy were also recognized. Former Egyptian Fencing Federation President Abdel Moneim El-Husseini was also honored.

Youth and Sports Radio was named the Best Sports Radio Station, with Dr. Nadia El-Nashar receiving the award. ON Sport won the Best Sports Channel award. In the team sports category, Ahmed Adel, a player for the Egyptian national handball team, was named Best Player in a Popular Sport. The Egyptian Squash Federation (Men and Women) was recognized as the Best Individual Sport Federation, and Eng. Amina El-Trabelsi accepted the award. Additionally The Egyptian women's handball team won Best Women's Team award in a team Sports.