Opening of the 17th Arab Football Five-a-side Tournament at South Valley University

Prof. Dr. Youssef Gharbawy, President of South Valley University, opened the activities of the 17th Arab Football Five-a-side Tournament, organized by the university from 3 to 8 December, with the participation of 22 Egyptian and Arab universities. This was in the presence of Dr. Muhammad Sobhy Hassanein, First Vice President of the Sports Federation of Egyptian universities, Dr. Abbas Mansour, the former university president, Dr. Hamdy Hussein, President of Luxor University, Dr. Badawy Shahat, Vice President for Education and Student Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Akkawy, Vice President of the University for Postgraduate Studies and Research, and Dr. Ahmed Kamal Nasari, Vice President of the University for Community Service and Environmental Development, Dr. Hazem Omar, Deputy Governor of Qena, Mr. Gamal Allam, Chairman of the Egyptian Football Association, Brigadier General Saeed Afify, Deputy Director of Qena Recruitment Area, Dr. Abdullah Al-Saeed, Vice President of Umm Al-Qura University, and Dr. Anas Al-Ali, Vice President of the Islamic University of Madinah, Dr. Arafa Salameh, Secretary General of the Egyptian Sports Federation for Universities, and Ehab El-Komy, member of the Egyptian Football Association.

Prof. Dr. Youssef Gharbawy welcomed the participants in the tournament from various Egyptian and Arab universities, noting the importance of cooperation among universities youth and the need to achieve maximum benefit from such meetings, which South Valley University used to organize annually. Emphasizing the university’s interest in student activities as a major supporter of university work and building the student’s personality. His Excellency also thanked Dr. Muhammad Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, for their support for this tournament, and the youth of South Valley University, the event makers. At the end of his speech, His Excellency urged students to adhere to sportsmanship and honest competition.

In his word, Dr. Muhammad Sobhy Hassanein thanked South Valley University and its leaders for hosting this important event and saluted the participating universities from Egypt and brotherly Arab countries, conveying to them the greetings of Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Minister of Youth and Sports. Praising the fruitful cooperation between the Universities Sports Federation and South Valley University and appreciating the role of the tournament in deepening the bonds of affection among Arab youth.

Dr. Badawy Shahat confirmed that there is great interest in sports and student activities at South Valley University, which is witnessing great development in various fields headed by Dr. Youssef Gharbawy, President of the University. He also welcomed the Arab delegations participating in the tournament, pointing out that 22 universities are participating in this tournament, including 19 Egyptian universities, two universities from the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a university from beloved Palestine.

The opening ceremony of the tournament events included a parade of the participating universities, sports activities for students of the Faculty of Physical Education, and an artistic performance by the university’s folklore band. The student, Jamal Awad, at the Faculty of Physical Education, recited the vow of the tournament to the universities participating in the competition. Then, the opening match of the tournament was held between the South Valley University team, the champion of the last version of the tournament, and the Islamic University team of Madinah, which witnessed clear competition in an atmosphere dominated by high sportsmanship.