"Sports and Africa" as Part of the Second Day of the "Nasser Fellowship for African Leadership"
Major General Ahmed Nasser, President of the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC), highlighted the significant role of sports in Africa, emphasizing that they create competition and encourage participation in international events. He pointed out that sports are considered the soft power that brings African nations together and achieves what politics often fails to accomplish.
He made these remarks during a session on "Sports and Africa" as part of the second day of the "Nasser Fellowship for African Leadership," launched by the Ministry of Youth and Sports (African Youth Bureau and the Central Administration for Parliament and Civic Education) under the patronage of Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, in collaboration with the African Youth Union. The fellowship is taking place from June 8 to June 22, 2019, at the Civic Education Center in Al-Gezira.
Nasser explained that AASC plays a crucial role in strengthening relations between Egypt and Africa by promoting and supporting various sports across the continent, helping to create a dynamic sports environment. He noted that "AASC" is an abbreviation of a French term meaning the "Association of African Sports Confederations," which includes 60 African sports federations. The organization is responsible for the technical management of African sports tournaments and is the third pillar of the sports structure in Africa, alongside the African Union (political body) and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), which oversees the organization and marketing of competitions.
He praised the Ministry of Youth and Sports, led by Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, for strengthening cooperation among all African sports federations and supporting tournaments organized by AASC and ANOCA. He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to expanding different sports across the African continent as part of its social responsibility, using sports to benefit African communities in alignment with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s vision to enhance relations with all African nations.
He also announced plans for collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to organize a conference on combating sports corruption in Africa, which is scheduled to be held in Cairo.
During the session, the African youth participants shared their experiences and backgrounds in various sports within their respective countries.
Dr. Emad El-Bannani praised Egypt’s efforts and preparations for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, highlighting the role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, under the leadership of Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, in integrating African youth through the various sports events and initiatives it organizes. Additionally, he emphasized that sports hold a special place in Africa, describing them as the "magic of the continent," and stressed that the youth of Africa represent its greatest human treasure, driving progress and development in their respective countries.
