Cairo: The Egyptian Senate, under the leadership of Counselor Essam Farid, convened to discuss pivotal issues related to sports and youth development during its plenary session on Sunday, April 26, 2026. The session, attended by the minister of youth and sports, focused on evaluating government policies on youth centers, the prevalence of betting advertisements in sports venues, and Egypt's preparations for the 2028 Olympics.
According to State Information Service Egypt, MP Nashaat Abu Hatta highlighted the essential role of youth centers in Egypt, describing them as vital for national development and a cornerstone of the Egypt Vision 2030. With nearly 5,000 centers nationwide, these facilities are crucial in fostering awareness, skill development, and talent discovery. However, Abu Hatta pointed out significant challenges, particularly in rural areas, where infrastructure is lacking due to limited resources and inadequate sports facilities. He advocated for modernizing programs to align with digital transformation and future job market demands, especially in artificial intelligence.
Abu Hatta further emphasized the importance of transforming youth centers into comprehensive community service hubs, enhancing oversight, improving annual activities, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. He also called for the establishment of clear performance indicators to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives.
In another discussion, MP Miral Haridi expressed concerns over the increasing presence of betting platform advertisements within Egyptian sports stadiums. She described these advertisements as promoters of illegal gambling activities that primarily target youth and children. Haridi urged for stringent measures to curb such promotions and recommended coordination with international sports organizations to ensure adherence to Egyptian law.
Additionally, MP El-Husseini Moustafa Lisi presented a request concerning Egypt's performance in past Olympic Games and the Ministry of Youth and Sports' strategy for preparing athletes for the 2028 Olympics. Lisi underscored the significance of sports as a component of Egypt's soft power and advocated for a comprehensive scientific approach to develop athletes capable of winning medals on the global stage, rather than merely participating.