Eng.Hassan Sakr, Head of the National Sports Council and Methad El Beltagi, Executive Director welcomed the Sports Ministers of Nile Basin countries which successfully participated in the Nile Basin football Tournament which took place from 3rd until 5th
January 2011.
Eng. Sakr welcomed the Ministers from Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Sudan and Eritrea.
Eng. Sakr also signed a protocol with his counterparts Charles Bakablendi, Uganda Sports Minister and Jean Jack, Burundi Sports Minister in the conference hall at the National Sports Council .
The aim of the protocol is to enhance, reinforce and develop the sports relationship between the countries after the Nile Basin Tournament which successfully built solidarity between Nile Basin countries by discussing and suggesting the proper ways of
mutual cooperation in exchanging sports experiences in training, refereeing and sports medicine and also establishing competitions in basketball, volleyball and swimming.

Eng. Sakr confirmed the strong relationship between Egypt and Nile Basin Countries and from their side the African Ministers were
show their keen to be in Egypt to participate in the opening activities of the Tournament. In another example of conveying the keen interest of attending and participating in this tournament, Ms.Youboita Bagaia head of the Uganda Parliament Group
attended the final match of the Nile Basin Countries tournament. Medhad El Beltagi Executive Director of the National Sports
Council declared that Ethiopia sent an apology for its participation in the Nile Basin Countries Tournament and confirmed its participation next year, and also Eritrea apologized for not participating in this tournament because it did not qualify for this championship.

All these efforts are made to convey Egypt’s keen interest in maintaining and enhancing the strong and distinctive relationship
between the countries of the Nile Basin.