Aerobics and Artistic Gymnastics in Town

By: Inas Mazhar

March 09, 2021

The Egyptian Gymnastics Federation is busy preparing for two major events to take place in Cairo, Egypt. The first event, The 2nd International Aerobic Gymnastics Pharaohs Cup, is scheduled to take place in April while the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup is to take place in June.

According to Ihab Amin, the president of the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation, the Pharaohs Cup will take place from 8-10 April in the Youth and Sports Hall at Sixth of October City, Giza. Amin revealed that 10 countries have already confirmed their participation in the three- day event. He added that the number of participants is expected to increase to 15 nations as the registration window remains open until 1 April, which means at least 400 male and female athletes. The first edition, which was held in Hurghada in 2019, saw the participation of 180 gymnasts from eight countries.

Amin added that the Egyptian federation had exerted a big effort in order to include this event within the agenda of the international federation of the sport. He also unveiled that the Pharaohs Cup is now an official event after being evaluated as an international club’s competition, which resembles a valuable opportunity for Egyptian gymnasts to participate in such an event and gain the experience of being in contact with an international event.

On the other hand, the president of the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation released the official logo of the Men’s and Women’s Artistic Gymnastics World Cup, which will be held at the Cairo Stadium Indoor Complex. The four-day event will take place between 3-6 June at halls 1, 2, and 3 in the complex. Amin said that the federation, with the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, intends to deliver a distinguished and spectacular event, just like the Handball World Championship which was held in January. This is the first time a major gymnastics world cup is being held in Egypt and Africa.

Furthermore, Amin, also a vice president of the African Gymnastics Confederation, announced that the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation had suggested hosting the Tokyo Olympic African qualifiers event, which is scheduled to be held in South Africa in May, in case the hosts withdraw because of the escalation of Covid-19 in South Africa. He explained that he had talked to the South African Federation and the African Confederation about Egypt’s proposal and readiness to replace the hosts if needed.

Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhy has revealed that the spectacular success of the World Handball Championship, which was held in Egypt in January, has made Egypt a safe destination for international sports events. The minister added that Egypt has the best, professional caliber sports facilities in the world as well as experienced organizers who are packed with the knowledge, practice, and skills needed to host a successful world-class event.

Sobhy added that the Ministry of Youth and Sports is in regular contact and coordination with the organizing committee of the event to follow up on all logistics, administration, and organizational matters required for producing these two big international events.