Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, in an exclusive interview with Homat Al-Ard magazine

Minister of Youth and SportsDr. Ashraf Sobhi in an exclusive interviewFor the Earth Guards magazine

Dr. Ashraf Sobhi“Minister of Youth and Sports“:

• We own about 4,500 youth centers throughout the Republic.
• The Supreme Investment Committee is responsible for inventorying all investment projects in the youth and sports fields.
• Egyptian youth represent 65% of citizens.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports – like other ministries – faced major challenges, including what the whole world was going through in terms of epidemics and economic transformations, in addition to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and other challenges that the Ministry of Youth and Sports was able to overcome with wise leadership and great efforts made by its young minister, who spared no effort in supporting sports and athletes – Dr. Ashraf Sobhi.

Hence, Hamat Al-Ard magazine sought to organize a dialogue table and a meeting in which Dr. Ashraf Sobhi spoke about issues of great importance, as his talk was from his heart and mind to the hearts and minds of Egyptians…so to the lines of the dialogue.

Egypt Vision 2030 has an undeniable role in confirming Egypt’s presence on the world map politically, economically, and culturally; Therefore, we began our dialogue with Dr. Ashraf Sobhi about the role of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in achieving this ambitious vision. He said: Youth are the foundation and focus of Egypt’s vision for sustainable development 2030, and they are key partners in developing, reviewing and implementing strategies. To achieve the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He added: Egyptian youth represent 65% of citizens, which is a large percentage. Investing in youth and empowering them is one of the priorities of the Egyptian state, and it is the approach followed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in light of the directives of His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic. The Ministry is implementing many initiatives and programmes. To ensure the full participation of Egyptian youth, and to enhance their empowerment in the political, social, cultural and economic fields, as well as the programs and activities implemented by the Ministry in all governorates of the Republic, which come within the framework of the axes of Egypt’s vision for sustainable development at various levels.

Then we moved to the development partner“Women”, and we asked: How can the Ministry contribute to supporting gender equalityand empowering women in the field of sports? The Minister of Youth and Sports’ answer was supported by numbers and facts, as he said: The Ministry pays great attention to the programs provided specifically for girls within society, and we seek to expand the base of beneficiaries of the Ministry’s various projects, taking into account the representation of both genders in each program without discrimination.

Regarding examples of these projects, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi said: We implement sports programs to develop girls’ skills, including – but not limited to – the “A Thousand Girls, A Thousand Dreams” project, in cooperation with the British Council; To contribute to spreading women’s football, as an integrated training program. I confirm that the Egyptian state, under the leadership of Mr. President, is witnessing the empowerment of youth in various fields, especially girls and women who hold many positions.

In the next question, we looked to shed light on the ministry’s achievements on the ground, as our question was about the current situation of increasing the number of youth centers in various governorates, and rehabilitating what has already been established? Here, His Excellency the Minister – Dr. Ashraf Sobhi – answered, saying: We own about 4,500 youth centers throughout the Republic, and we have a clear vision for developing them, raising their efficiency, and maintaining their regular maintenance. So that young people, youth and citizens can practice various activities there. According to a specific plan and timetable, youth centers are developed annually, providing all the requirements that members need, along with developing the performance of those centers, and intensifying the activities and programs offered in them.

After that, our question was about the Ministry’s exploitation of youth centersto raise awareness of sustainable development issues? The Minister of Youth and Sports’ answer was as follows: As I previously explained, we are interested in intensifying projects and activities within youth centers, and expanding the number of beneficiaries from them in cooperation with the youth and sports directorates, and in following up on the performance of the boards of directors of youth centers.

He continued, saying: These programs vary between social, cultural, and sports, and there is a package of programs and dialogue meetings, which are held in youth centers – periodically – to educate young people about various issues, and develop their skills and cultural and scientific knowledge, in addition to the Ministry’s policy of transforming youth centers into community service centers that contribute to helping the surrounding community, with the positive participation of young people who are members of those centers.

Regarding the National Youth Dialogue Forum, we asked His Excellency about his evaluation of this forum, and how he sees the results expected from it? He said: I see that youth forums are effective platforms for national dialogue between youth and officials, and shed light on the real achievements that the country is witnessing on the ground, in addition to learning about the challenges and viewpoints of youth on various issues.

Then he affirmed the political leadership’s vision for this national forum, saying: There is a great keenness from the Egyptian political leadership to meet with young people – periodically – in national youth conferences; Emphasizing the importance and role of youth in the new republic, and that they represent a major pillar in the construction and development process. We have all witnessed that the recommendations that emerge from these conferences are being implemented by the various concerned parties and ministries, and they are working to implement them on the ground, as they are considered positive and effective results of the national dialogue with youth.

As for the Supreme Committee for Investment in the Ministry of YouthOur question was: What is the role assigned to this committee, and what are the desired results from it? Dr. Ashraf Sobhi replied: The Ministry of Youth and Sports owns many construction assets in all governorates, ranging from cities, youth forums, civic education centers, a series of “club clubs,” and other facilities.

He said, explaining the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ vision for these construction assets: The Ministry’s vision is based on maximizing the benefit from these assets, investing in them, and managing them economically, and one of the axes of the Ministry’s strategy is to activate economic management in youth centers and clubs, and develop them with the participation of the private sector, and in accordance with the usufruct system; This is a system that the Ministry has adopted since late 2018 until now, and has resulted in billions of pounds in revenues. Part of it was spent on developing youth centers, and another part represents the center’s monthly revenue, of which it is spent on maintenance and activities provided within it.

In this context, he added: The Supreme Investment Committee is responsible for inventorying all investment projects in the youth and sports fields. In preparation for concluding partnerships with private sector institutions, and overcoming all obstacles that may hinder investment projects. We will witness – in the coming period – more positive results of the committee. In continuation of what the Ministry has achieved at the level of the investment file.

At the end of our dialogue, we wanted to shed light on the initiative “YLY“, so our question was: How does the Minister of Youth and Sports see the role of the ministry in supporting youth, especially in the governorates? Remote? He replied, saying: We care about the youth of Egypt in all parts of the country, and we implement our programs and activities based on the desires and needs of the youth, and they are evaluated – periodically – to measure the extent of benefit from them.

He also said: In light of the directives of Mr. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, the Ministry of Youth and Sports is implementing a package of diverse projects and programs for the youth of the border governorates, and creative and athletically distinguished youth from the people of the border governorates are gathered every year; To compete in the Border Governorates Olympics, and other youth and sports projects, in addition to developing youth centers and clubs in the border governorates, and establishing new facilities in light of the development and construction taking place throughout the country.

At the end of this dialogue, Homat Al-Ard magazine thanks Dr. Ashraf Sobhi – Minister of Youth and Sports – and wishes Egypt and all its ministries prosperity and more achievements.