Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy said that Egypt’s youth and sports sectors have experienced an unprecedented transformation under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, as part of a comprehensive government-led development plan focused on building human capital and upgrading national infrastructure.
In exclusive comments to the Middle East News Agency (MENA), Sobhy said his ministry has adopted an integrated policy focused on maximizing the efficient use of sports facilities, supporting athletes and activities across all disciplines and age groups, and providing services that meet citizens’ expectations. He added that these efforts help improve public health, combat extremist ideas, nurture talent, and produce generations capable of achieving their ambitions.
The minister said the achievements directly reflect the political leadership’s vision, noting that Egyptian sports have gained a significant presence in international tournaments and events. He added that this progress has been fueled by major upgrades to activity programs, extensive construction initiatives, increased investment options, and a broader base of sports participation, alongside support for the presidential “Haya Karima” (Decent Life) initiative.
Sobhy said the ministry is implementing a comprehensive strategy aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, Egypt Vision 2030 and the government’s action program. The strategy focuses on raising cultural and scientific awareness, unlocking creative potential, discovering and nurturing talented individuals, developing elite sports, boosting international participation and encouraging youth engagement in collective and voluntary work.
He said the ministry currently oversees 6,430 youth and sports facilities nationwide, including youth centers, clubs, activity halls, stadiums, youth and sports cities and camps, sports development centers, swimming pools, and innovation and learning centers.
In recent years, Egypt has built over 4,282 football pitches, developed and constructed 12 youth and sports cities, renovated 14 stadiums, and built or upgraded 14 indoor sports halls, including four that hosted the World Handball Championship. “The ministry has also established 30 innovation and learning centers, built or upgraded 191 swimming pools, improved sports medicine units, supported clubs for athletes with disabilities, launched the “Nadi al-Nadi” club chain, and upgraded the national teams’ training center in Maadi. Nearly 897 facilities were developed in 2025 alone,” Sobhy said.
Under the “Haya Karima” initiative, Sobhy said youth-related projects have expanded significantly. During the first phase, 1,039 youth centers were built or upgraded, with 266 new centers established. In the second phase, 760 youth centers are being developed through 2025.
On investment, Sobhy said total spending on youth and sports infrastructure over the past six years through 2025 reached approximately LE 54 billion, including LE 9.2 billion invested in the current year alone.
He added that large-scale development projects are underway at youth centers across all governorates, particularly in border regions. Among them is the construction of a fully integrated sports complex at Shalateen Club in the Red Sea governorate, aimed at providing a modern and supportive sports environment for young people in those areas.
