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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 Games’ Supreme Committee, inspected the accommodation facilities for delegations participating in the 12th African University Games “Cairo 2026” at Ain Shams University. The tour was attended by Dr. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University; Dr. Hesham Abdel Salam, President of the Egyptian E-Learning University; Dr. Ahmed Kamel Mahdy, Chairman of the Games’ Organizing Committee; Dr. Hesham Ahmed Ali, Games Director; Mr. Marco Zunich, member of the Executive Committee of the International University Sports Federation; and a number of members of the Organizing Committee.

The tour came as part of the ongoing field follow-up of the Games, aimed at ensuring the readiness of competition venues and delegation accommodation facilities and reviewing the level of services provided to participants, thereby ensuring the smooth running of competitions and providing a safe and comfortable environment for participating students and delegations throughout the Games.

During the tour, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa and Dr. Ashraf Sobhy inspected the Games’ Operations Room, hosted by the Egyptian E-Learning University, which supports management and monitoring activities throughout “Cairo 2026.” They were briefed on the room’s operating mechanisms, its role in connecting the various participating committees and entities, and its real-time monitoring of competitions and events.

The Operations Room operates around the clock through an integrated system that enables the monitoring of bus routes and delegation transportation, real-time monitoring of the various competition venues, and tracking of results recorded across different sports. This supports rapid responses to developments, enhances coordination among working teams, and contributes to the smooth running of the Games across all venues.

Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa affirmed that Egypt’s hosting of the 12th African University Games reflects the capabilities, infrastructure, and organizational expertise of the Egyptian state and its universities, qualifying them to host major university sporting events at the continental level. He noted that continuous field follow-up aims to directly monitor the progress of operations and ensure the provision of the highest standards of care and services to participating delegations.

The Minister added that the use of technology in managing “Cairo 2026” represents a model of integration between technological advancement and organizational management in major sporting events. He explained that the Operations Room enables real-time monitoring of the various components of the Games and supports coordination among the committees and relevant entities, contributing to rapid responses to developments and the implementation of necessary measures to ensure the smooth running of competitions and provide the best possible experience for participants.

For his part, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy affirmed that field follow-up of delegation accommodation facilities and competition venues is an essential part of the Games’ operational framework. He stressed the commitment to providing all necessary facilities to ensure the comfort of delegations, the safety of participants, and the smooth running of competitions, reflecting Egypt’s strong commitment to university sports and its role in strengthening communication among African university youth.

Dr. Ahmed Kamel Mahdy, Chairman of the Games’ Organizing Committee, noted that the successful organization of “Cairo 2026” is based on an integrated system of cooperation and coordination among the various participating committees and entities. He added that the Operations Room serves as a central hub for daily monitoring and connects the organizational, logistical, and technical aspects of the Games, ensuring the rapid flow of information and an immediate response to operational requirements across the various venues.

Dr. Hesham Ahmed Ali, Games Director, explained that the Operations Room monitors the movement of delegations and buses, competition venues, results, and various operational developments around the clock. This provides the Games’ management with a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the progress of events and enables working teams to coordinate rapidly and respond to any requirements or developments, ensuring the smooth implementation of the competition schedule.

Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa and Dr. Ashraf Sobhy also toured the accommodation facilities of the participating delegations, where they ensured that a safe and comfortable environment was provided throughout their participation in the Games. They inspected the restaurant and laundry facilities and reviewed the level of services provided to the delegations, as well as the medical and healthcare services available to participants.

Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa praised the efforts of the Organizing Committee, all working teams, and the host universities, commending their outstanding performance and integrated coordination, which contributed to the smooth running of the Games and the warm reception of delegations, reflecting an honorable image befitting Egypt’s standing and its role in supporting university sports at the African level.

During the tour, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa and Dr. Ashraf Sobhy honored the male and female students who won the individual and team chess competitions, in recognition of their outstanding sporting achievements and participation in the Games.

Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa and Dr. Ashraf Sobhy also attended part of the match between the University of Hertfordshire and the Guinean Federation team from Guinea, as part of their follow-up of the Games’ sporting competitions, encouraging participants and ensuring the smooth running of the tournament.