Cairo: Spokesman for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Adel Abdel Ghaffar, stressed the importance of the 12th All African Universities Games, currently hosted by Cairo with the participation of more than 2,000 male and female students from 18 African countries.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Abdel Ghaffar highlighted that the event represents a significant opportunity to strengthen communication among African university youth and reinforce the role of universities in building bridges of cooperation among the continent's young people. The diversity of participating countries and universities underscores the growing importance of university sports and its potential to unite African youth around values of fair competition, friendship, and cooperation.

The spokesman elaborated that the games extend beyond sporting competitions, featuring an integrated scientific, cultural, and artistic program. A scientific conference is taking place with the involvement of numerous Egyptian and African researchers to discuss the latest developments in sports science, contributing to the advancement of scientific research and fostering cultural exchange among the participants.

Abdel Ghaffar noted that the games are being organized amid comprehensive preparations to ensure the readiness of sports venues and all logistical arrangements, including transportation, along with accompanying artistic and cultural programs. He affirmed that all organizational details are meticulously managed, from the allocation of participating teams and preparation of sports facilities and athletes' accommodation to ensuring the security of the participating delegations.

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research headquarters in the New Administrative Capital hosted a ceremony on Tuesday to mark the launch of the torch for the 12th All African Universities Games 'Cairo 2026.' The event was attended by Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister and Acting Minister of Culture Abdel Aziz Konsowa, African University Sports Federation President and Deputy Chairman of the Games' Higher Committee Ashraf Sobhy, Organizing Committee Chairman Ahmed Kamel Mahdy, and several officials and senior representatives of university sports federations.

Egypt is hosting the games from September 8 to 16, bringing together male and female students from universities across Africa in an event that combines sporting competition with youth interaction and cultural and civilizational exchange among the continent's peoples.