Letter from Cairo, Issue 36Th 2 Letter from Cairo, Issue 36Th President El-Sisi Meets with Minister of Youth and Sports and Financial Advisor to the President 6
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1 Letter from Cairo, Issue 36th 2 Letter from Cairo, Issue 36th President El-Sisi Meets with Minister of Youth and Sports and Financial Advisor to the President 6 Egyptian Leadership of International 15 Handball Federation 19 In This Issue • Editorial: In Egypt, Hands of the World Compete & Fraternize 4 • Modern Sports Arenas Hosting Egypt 2021 13 • 21st Century Witnessed Increase in Handball’s Growth & Popularity 16 • Most Important International Sports Tournaments Hosted by Egypt 21 • Countries Participating in IHF Handball World Championship .. Egypt 2021 28 3 4 Letter from Cairo, Issue 36th In Egypt, Hands of the World Compete & Fraternize In 2021, handball teams of 32 countries meet in hospitable Egypt from 13 to 31 January to vie for the title of world champions at the 27th IHF World Men’s Handball Championship. There is no doubt that Egypt’s hosting of this major sporting event has im- portant implications for Egypt, its people and the world. This is the largest global sporting event ever held anywhere in the world since the covid-19 pandemic, a year ago. The organization of this competi- tion in such circumstances reflects the extent of Egyptian capabilities in all areas of health, logistics, security and sports under these exceptional cir- cumstances. Undoubtedly, the international consensus to convene the championship at this time, despite all the current realities around the world, confirms confi- dence in Egypt’s success in dealing with the pandemic at all levels, and in the ability of the State, Egyptian people and the youth of the world participating in the championship, to come up with the 2021 edition in the best form, to the enjoyment of hundreds of millions of handball fans at a time when all the peoples of the world need moments of hope, pleasure and fair competi- tion after a very difficult year for everyone. The meeting of youth teams from 32 countries from all over the world on the land of Egypt at a time when everyone is struggling with the pandemic and resisting the idea of closure and shutdown, reveals how the world sees Egypt as an oasis of peace, stability and security and its ability to overcome all difficulties. Egypt has previously organized dozens of continental and international sporting events with great success. Egypt will once again confirm this suc- cess and welcome the peoples of the world, as it has always been. It’s here in Cairo where hands compete for the ball and also achieve the bigger targets, i.e. solidarity, fraternity, peace and global harmony; and to conquer and triumph in all circumstances, confirming that the peoples of world in Egypt are one hand. 5 On 5 September 2020 during the draw ceremony of the World Handball Championship 2021 in Egypt, the offi- cial mascot Horus was first revealed. Horus is the sun god of the ancient Egyptians and is the first living entity worshipped by them. With the drawing ceremony conducted in the shadows of the Giza Pyramids, it was fitting that Egypt chose a mascot to reflect its ancient roots and the qualities it hopes to emphasize for the competition. The double crown of ancient Egypt sits atop Horus’ head and a golden handball rests inside the crown. Horus Got Moves Horus, the mascot, can remove this ball for photos with fans or to play with. The face mask is designed to be friendly yet powerful. Mascot Horus’s collar is made of red metal and golden beads, representing the Egyp- tian national team jersey. 6 Letter from Cairo, Issue 36th Egypt Keen on Rendering World Handball Championship a Success President El-Sisi Meets with Minister of Youth and Sports and Financial Advisor to the President On 13 September 2020, Presi- Dr. Sobhy confirmed that 1100 updates. “We have set special dent Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was youth volunteers were selected tough and strict medical mea- updated on final preparations to participate in the organiza- sures and precautions for the for the organization of the 27th tion of the championship. The Covid-19, to be followed during Men’s Handball World Cham- selected volunteers attended the Championship and there pionship, hosted by Egypt in an intensive course where they will be no place for those who January 2021. In his meeting were trained on how to deal don’t follow these measures”, with Minister of Youth and with the participating delega- said the IHF President. “We are Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Pres- tions and also on emergency lucky as the European Champi- ident Sisi had given immediate first aid. Dr. Sobhy also demon- onships qualifications are cur- instructions for the government strated the different aspects of rently being held, where we will to mobilize all capabilities and the ongoing preparations set by take the chance to evaluate that provide all facilities required the Supreme Organizing Com- experience. Meanwhile, we are for delivering an astounding mittee of the World Champi- working on ensuring that every and successful event being the onship including upgrading visitor returning back home first world-class major sports and refurbishing the efficiency after the event is an ambassa- festival to be held on Egyptian of the sports infrastructure, dor of Egypt abroad”, he added. soil, since the outbreak of the hosting the Championship. “The International Olympic coronavirus, also witnessing Committee has delayed The spectators’ attendance. Tazkarti is the creator of the 2020 Olympic Games for a year Dr. Sobhy gave a brief on the Fan ID for the first time in and now the IOC President capacity of sports infrastruc- Egypt under the trademark has confirmed attending Egypt ture included in the champion- Tazkarti Fan ID. The company 2021 to witness the Egyptian ship. He noted that for the first offers a ticket marketplace for organization of the event amid time in its history, 32 countries different types of events across the current challenges”, Mosta- will participate in the champi- Egypt, including the current fa affirmed. onship, adding that 108 match- tournament. Minister of Health, Hala Zayed es are held in four various halls IHF President Dr. Hassan Mo- emphasized the importance of in three governorates, in ad- stafa met on 14 December 2020 the regular update of data to dition to 10 other sports halls with the Ministers of Sports guarantee accurate PCR tests hosting the teams’ trainings. and Health to discuss the latest and evaluation of the health 7 care and prevention measures. Dr. Zayed also announced that the visiting spectators coming from abroad follow different routes than home fans to en- sure no contact. The Minister added that those violating any of the precautionary measures in the venues are immediately fined. On the other hand, Minister of Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy re- vealed that every hotel hosting any of the event’s teams, partic- Press Conference held at SIS Headquarters in collaboration with Ministry of ipants or organizers is entirely Youth & Sports closed on those inside it. He added that there have been co- the Medical Committee. pionship is being held amid a ordination plans and agreement IHF President said “We have healthy and safe environment with the Minister of Civil Avia- many challenges ahead of us re- to all participants”. tion Mohamed Manar to allow garding the Covid-19 pandemic. The Minister concluded by re- all planes carrying participating The Egyptian government has vealing that the preventive plan teams to land at the seasonal efficiently been handling these has been designed by the Egypt terminal of the Cairo Interna- changes for this major event”, 2021 Medical Commission, in tional Airport to ensure no con- stressing that the IHF has tak- coordination with the Ministry tact. The Sports Minister ex- en some measures including of Health and the Prevention plained that a simulation of the forming special task forces to Task Force of the IHF. whole organizational process combat the virus and that the Head of the Medical Commis- is conducted for participants champion Medical Commis- sion Dr. Hazem Khamis ex- upon their arrival until their sion comprises representatives plained that the commission departure amid precautionary of the WHO. Dr. Mostafa ex- has exerted huge effort to raise measures taking place before plained that a covid-19 preven- awareness of the covid-19 vi- the tournament throws-off. tive plan has been set since Oc- rus and the measures to taken On 3 December 2020, the State tober and is regularly updated. during the Championship, not- Information Service (SIS) host- Minister of Youth and Sports ing that this effort is the result ed a press conference to reveal Dr. Ashraf Sobhy conveyed his of collaboration with the Min- the details of the measures set thanks and appreciation to par- istry of Health. in order to contain the corona- ticipants in the organizational “The four pillars which have virus pandemic and the means process amid those exception- been previously announced of protecting participants al circumstances. The minister include appointing a medical during the 27th edition of the said “under the leadership of officer to each team, the appli- Men’s Handball World Cham- Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah cation of the full bubble system pionship, Egypt 2021. El-Sisi, Egypt has proved its where all participants will be The press conference was at- ability in organizing spectacu- completely isolated from the tended by SIS Chairman Diaa lar sports events”, adding “The outside world. Their only route Rashwan, Minister of Youth and world is learning now how will be from the airport to the Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, IHF to live and adapt to the virus. hotel, and then to the champi- President Dr. Hassan Mostafa The sports world has started onship hall and vice versa till and Dr.