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 aimed at enhancing the framework for university sports in Africa.
These meetings aimed to achieve the common interests of the continent’s countries in university sports, focusing on regional cooperation and the sustainable development of sports activities. Plans to expand FASU’s initiatives were established to make them top priorities within African universities, strengthening international relations and partnerships.
This was followed by an exclusive tour of state-of-the-art sports facilities and the Egypt International Olympic City, 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, marking Egypt’s pivotal role in advancing university sports across Africa. "This new regional hub is poised to serve as a centre for coordination, capacity building, and sports development initiatives," stated Professor Sobhy.
The momentum continued with the FISU Healthy Campus Seminar, an engaging forum dedicated to integrating health, wellness, and physical activity within campus life, which is pivotal for nurturing academic and athletic excellence. A high-level FISU-FASU strategic dialogue provided international platforms to explore collaborative approaches to address challenges and opportunities, with leaders discussing how to integrate sports within educational policies and leverage innovative technologies.
Adding cultural richness to the event, the Ministry of Youth and Sports organised tours including visits to the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Grand Egyptian Museum, providing the guests with insights about ancient Egypt’s heritage. Following at the Sports Expo and SoccerX exhibitions, cutting-edge sports technologies, training methodologies, and innovative athletic programs were showcased, fostering 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 clear agendas for the future. This assembly underscored FASU’s unwavering commitment to building a sustainable university sports ecosystem.
President Eder and Professor Sobhy signed a Memorandum of Understanding between FISU and FASU during the General Assembly. This protocol "underscored a renewed commitment to collaborating and reinforcing strategic partnerships," said Eder, emphasizing the importance of these collaborations for university sports’ future.
It was also announced during the event sequence, Egypt will host the 12th All Africa University Games in 2026, marking another milestone for Egypt’s growing influence within the international university sports arena.
On the sidelines of the FASU General Assembly and FISU-FASU strategic dialogue, multiple additional meetings with local authorities and university representatives were organized. Among these, discussions with Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbuli focused on promoting international cooperation and strengthening alliances to build sustainable sporting structures.
Further discussions aimed at empowering universities, providing them with tools and strategies to nurture sporting talent effectively alongside maintaining academic excellence. The emphasis was placed on aligning with global efforts to create unified and sustainable sporting systems, fostering international partnerships and resource exchange to support the sustainable growth of this reactive sector.