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The 12th African University Games “Cairo 2026” concluded after days of intense sporting competition among African university students, recording an outstanding medal haul that reflected the strength of participation and diversity of competitions, while reinforcing the status of university sports as one of the most important platforms for interaction and communication among the continent’s youth.

The Games were held under the patronage and organization of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, headed by Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture, with the participation of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, headed by Mr. Gohar Nabil, Minister of Youth and Sports; the Federation of African Sports University (FASU), headed by Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, President of the African University Sports Federation; and the Egyptian Universities Sports Federation. The Games were held under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Kamel Mahdi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Secretary-General of the Federation, and Dr. Hesham Ahmed Ali, Director of the Games, with broad participation from African universities and sports delegations.

Dr. Adel Abdel Ghaffar, Media Advisor and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, stated that the official results of the Games showed that 15 African countries reached the podium, while a total of 510 medals were awarded throughout the competitions, including 159 gold, 159 silver, and 192 bronze medals, reflecting the broad scope of competition and the diversity of participating sporting talent.

The Ministry’s Official Spokesperson added that the Egyptian delegation topped the overall standings of participating countries, winning 93 gold, 101 silver, and 116 bronze medals, for a total of 310 medals, a remarkable haul that reflects the strong participation of Egyptian universities and their diverse presence across the various competitions.

Abdel Ghaffar stated that Algeria ranked second with a total of 111 medals, including 36 gold, 35 silver, and 40 bronze medals, while South Africa followed with a total of 24 medals and Ghana with 22 medals. The remaining medals were distributed among several participating African countries, underscoring the broad scope of sporting competition across the continent.

The medal standings at “Cairo 2026” reflected a remarkable diversity of African sporting talent, with 15 countries reaching the podium. This highlights the growing role of university sports in discovering talent, developing athletes’ capabilities, and preparing a new generation of athletes capable of representing their universities and countries at continental and international events.

The Games witnessed broad African participation, bringing together 2,082 participants, including 1,688 students and 394 officials, representing 18 countries and 82 universities. Participants competed in 18 sports, in addition to four para sports and three demonstration sports, making “Cairo 2026” a continental sporting platform distinguished by the scale of participation, diversity of competitions, and accompanying events.

In a step reflecting the Games’ alignment with the Egyptian state’s drive toward digital transformation and the use of technology in managing major events, “Cairo 2026” witnessed, for the first time in the history of the African University Games, the implementation of an integrated digital system for registration and accreditation procedures. A mobile application was also launched, enabling users to follow results in real time, access the latest news and updates, and locate competition venues, contributing to easier access to information and enhancing the efficiency of monitoring and managing the Games.

The events of “Cairo 2026” demonstrated that university sports provide an effective platform for character building and promoting the values of fair competition, discipline, and teamwork. They also play an important role in strengthening interaction among African university youth and creating new opportunities for exchanging experiences and expertise, thereby fostering closer ties among the peoples of the continent.

The success of “Cairo 2026” was the result of the integrated efforts of state institutions, universities, sports federations, organizing committees, and volunteers, reflecting Egypt’s ability to host and organize major continental events and its commitment to supporting African youth and providing a sporting and organizational environment befitting the stature of Egyptian universities and their role on the continent.

Thus, “Cairo 2026” was not merely a competition for medals, but rather an integrated experience bringing together sports, youth, technology, and African cooperation. It presented an advanced model for continental university sports and reaffirmed Egypt’s ability to host and organize major events, embodying its commitment to supporting the continent’s youth and building new bridges of communication and cooperation among its universities under the Games’ slogan: “One Flame... One Continent.”