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Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture, and Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, President of the African University Sports Federation and Vice Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of the Games, attended the closing ceremony of the 12th African University Games “Cairo 2026,” hosted by Egypt from September 8 to 16. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Marco Zunich, member of the Executive Committee of the International University Sports Federation; Dr. Ahmed Kamel Mahdi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee; Dr. Hesham Ahmed Ali, Director of the Games; a number of university presidents; senior officials from the relevant ministries, the African University Sports Federation, and the Egyptian Universities Sports Federation; as well as members of the participating delegations and missions. The ceremony was held at the cycling track at Cairo International Stadium.

The closing ceremony featured several artistic and protocol segments, beginning with the Egyptian national anthem, followed by an artistic performance and a documentary highlighting the most memorable moments and competitions of the Games and the participation of the delegations from the opening through the closing. The protocol proceedings concluded with the handover of the Games flag to representatives of Algeria, the host country of the next edition, in accordance with the approved protocol.

During the ceremony, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa affirmed that Egypt’s hosting of the 12th African University Games “Cairo 2026” embodies Egypt’s role in supporting the continent’s youth and strengthening communication among African universities. He noted that the Games went beyond the concept of sporting competition to become a platform bringing together education, sports, and culture, while contributing to the development of university students capable of discipline, teamwork, and respect for others.

Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa also expressed his sincere appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Republic, for the Egyptian state’s commitment to human development, youth empowerment, talent discovery, and strengthening cooperation with African nations. He stressed that empowering young people and developing their capabilities constitute a key pillar of Egypt’s vision for the future of the continent. He also thanked Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister, and Egyptian state institutions for their support and contribution to the success of the Games.

The Minister congratulated all winners and participants, affirming that the competitions reflected an outstanding spirit of sportsmanship and demonstrated the ability of African youth to communicate, compete, and build new bridges among the peoples of the continent. He also praised the efforts of the African University Sports Federation, the Organizing Committee, the Egyptian Universities Sports Federation, Egyptian universities, ministries, institutions, committees, and volunteers for presenting this African event in such an honorable manner.

Konsowa stressed that the conclusion of the competitions does not mean the end of the bonds forged by “Cairo 2026” among African university youth. He called for building on this experience to strengthen cooperation among African universities and expand academic, cultural, and sporting exchanges, thereby enhancing young people’s capabilities and contributing to a more cooperative and integrated future for the continent, under the Games’ slogan, “One Flame... One Continent.”

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy expressed his great pride in the success of “Cairo 2026,” emphasizing that the Games were not merely sporting competitions for medals, but rather a platform that brought together African university youth in an atmosphere of fair competition, interaction, and exchange of experiences. He noted that the event embodied the true mission of university sports in building an African generation that believes in cooperation, excellence, and peace.

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Arab Republic of Egypt, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi; Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly; the Ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Youth and Sports, and Culture; the Organizing Committee; the Egyptian Universities Sports Federation; and all universities, institutions, and entities that contributed to the success of the Games. He also thanked the athletes, coaches, referees, administrators, and volunteers, affirming that every participant in “Cairo 2026” returns home carrying new experiences, memories, and friendships extending across the continent, reflecting the ability of Africa and its youth to come together and shape the future.

Major General Ahmed Nasser, President of the Association of African Sports Confederations (UCSA), also extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian government for their support, patronage, and efforts that contributed to the success of the Games and their distinguished organization. He affirmed that Egypt presented an outstanding model in bringing together African university students and youth, noting that “Cairo 2026” ranks among the most successful editions of the African University Games. He also thanked Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa and Dr. Ashraf Sobhy for their significant efforts in supporting and organizing the Games, praising the distinguished performance of the students and athletes, which reflected the spirit of competition and cooperation among the continent’s youth. He further expressed his appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this African sporting event and its organization in a manner befitting Egypt’s stature and role in Africa.

Dr. Ahmed Kamel Mehdi expressed his pleasure at the success of the Games, affirming that they went beyond sporting competitions to become an African gathering that brought together university youth from across the continent on Egyptian soil, providing them with genuine opportunities for interaction, communication, and fair competition. He noted that the sportsmanship and mutual respect demonstrated throughout the Games reflected the ability of university sports to transcend linguistic and cultural differences and unite young people around shared values.

Mehdi extended his sincere thanks and appreciation to all participating countries, universities, delegations, and athletes, as well as Egyptian state institutions, universities, relevant authorities, and the technical, administrative, medical, security, media, and logistical committees, in recognition of their continuous efforts that contributed to the success of the Games and their organization in a manner befitting Egypt. He particularly praised the role played by young volunteers across the various venues, affirming that “Cairo 2026” will remain an important milestone in the journey of African university sports and a lasting memory for the delegations as they return home with new friendships and bonds forged among the continent’s youth.

On the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the 12th African University Games “Cairo 2026,” the American University in Cairo, which ranked first in the overall university standings, was honored. Several students and volunteers who participated in organizing the events were also honored in recognition of their efforts and contributions to the success of the Games.

The Egyptian delegation, which ranked first in the overall standings of the participating countries, was also honored. Dr. Amr Allam, Assistant Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for Institutional Development, Permanent Undersecretary of the Ministry, and Head of the Egyptian Delegation, received the honor in recognition of the achievement accomplished by Egyptian university students throughout the Games.

The ceremony also witnessed the honoring of the presidents of the universities that hosted the Games’ competitions and events, in recognition of their role in supporting the organization and contributing to the successful presentation of this African sporting event.

It is worth noting that the 12th African University Games “Cairo 2026” were held under the patronage and organization of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, with the participation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the African University Sports Federation (FASU), and the Egyptian Universities Sports Federation. This reflected the integrated efforts of state institutions, sports federations, and Egyptian universities in organizing this continental event and presenting it in a manner befitting Egypt’s stature and its role in supporting university sports and strengthening communication among the continent’s youth.

“Cairo 2026” was held at an exceptional time when sports coincided with major milestones in the journey of the African continent and university sports, including the celebration of African Union Day, the International Day of University Sport, and the 55th anniversary of the African University Sports Federation. Cairo thus became an African platform for celebrating the journey of university sports, promoting the values of fair competition, cooperation, and friendship, and opening new horizons for communication among African university youth and building bonds that extend beyond the conclusion of the competitions.

The Games witnessed unprecedented continental participation, bringing together 2,082 participants, including 1,688 students and 394 officials, representing 18 countries and 82 universities. They competed in 18 sports, in addition to four para sports and three demonstration sports, under the slogan “One Flame... One Continent.” The activities of “Cairo 2026” were not limited to sporting competitions, but also included artistic, cultural, and scientific programs and events that provided university youth with opportunities to interact, exchange experiences, and engage with one another. These activities reinforced the human and cultural dimensions of the Games and embodied university sports as a platform for bringing people closer together, building bridges of communication, and shaping a more cooperative and integrated future for the continent.