Over the course of several transformative days, Cairo became the epicentre for a series of landmark events organised by the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU), heralding a new era for university sports across Africa. Under the dynamic leadership of FASU President Professor Ashraf Sobhy, the events, held from 20 to 25 February 2025, attracted delegations from over 20 African nations, along with distinguished guests including FISU President Leonz Eder, members of the FASU Executive Committee, and FISU representatives. The comprehensive programme highlighted a spirit of collaboration and innovation set to drive transformative change in university sports on the continent.
The programme commenced with the FASU Executive Committee Meeting hosted at New Giza University, where key stakeholders engaged in in-depth discussions on refining governance structures, strategic priorities, and policies designed to enhance the framework for university sports in Africa. These meetings aimed to achieve the common interests of the continent’s countries in university sports:
- Support regional cooperation and the sustainable development of university sports activities
- Expand the implementation of FASU’s initiatives so that they become top priorities among African events held within African universities
- Strengthen international relations and partnerships.
This was followed by an exclusive tour of state-of-the-art sports facilities and a visit to the Egypt International Olympic City in the New Administrative Capital, underscoring Egypt’s commitment to developing world-class sporting infrastructure. A historic milestone took place with the inauguration of the FASU Cairo Office at the British University in Egypt (BUE). This new regional hub is poised to serve as a centre for coordination, capacity building, and sports development initiatives, thereby reinforcing Egypt’s pivotal role in advancing university sports across Africa.
The momentum continued with the FISU Healthy Campus Seminar, an engaging forum dedicated to integrating health, wellness, and physical activity into campus life, a cornerstone for nurturing both academic and athletic excellence. A high-level FISU-FASU strategic dialogue provided an international platform for exploring collaborative approaches to address emerging challenges and opportunities, with leaders and experts discussing strategies to integrate sports into educational policies, leverage innovative technologies, and promote sustainable development.
Adding to the cultural richness of the event, the Ministry of Youth and Sports organised a sightseeing tour that included visits to the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, the Panorama area, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. During this tour, President Eder and the esteemed members of FASU were treated to a detailed explanation of ancient Egypt’s history and its most significant archaeological landmarks, further deepening the contextual appreciation of the region’s heritage.
Following at the Sports Expo and SoccerX exhibitions, cutting-edge sports technologies, training methodologies, and innovative athletic programmes were showcased, creating a dynamic environment for networking and knowledge exchange.
The series of events concluded with the FASU General Assembly Meeting held at Badr University in Cairo, where delegates from participating nations consolidated their insights, reviewed strategic objectives, and set a clear agenda for the future. This assembly underscored FASU’s unwavering commitment to building a robust, inclusive, and sustainable university sports ecosystem that empowers student-athletes and contributes to the advancement of higher education across Africa.
In a significant development during the General Assembly, President Eder and Professor Sobhy signed a Memorandum of Understanding between FISU and FASU. This protocol underscores a renewed commitment to expanding collaborative efforts and reinforcing the strategic partnerships essential for driving the future of university sports. Furthermore, the Memorandum of Understanding was signed between FASU and FISU America, represented by FISU America President, Alim Neto. Additionally, it was announced that Egypt will host the 12th All Africa University Games in 2026, marking another milestone in Egypt’s growing influence in the international university sports arena.
On the sidelines of the FASU General Assembly and FISU-FASU strategic dialogue, multiple additional meetings were organised with local authorities and university representatives. Among these, FISU representatives had the honour to meet with Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbuli, Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt, Mohamed Ayman Ashour.
These meetings focused on several key areas, including promoting international cooperation and strengthening partnerships between international, continental, and national sporting bodies to build robust and sustainable sporting structures. Additionally, they emphasised empowering universities by equipping academic institutions with the necessary tools and strategies to nurture sporting talent while maintaining academic excellence.
Aligned with global efforts to create unified and sustainable sporting systems, the meeting aimed to advance the development of university sports in Africa and worldwide. The goal is to foster international partnerships and cooperation in university sports, focusing on resource exchange and exploring future solutions to ensure the sustainable growth of this vital sector.
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