The Arab Academy Hosts the Launch of the U15 World Youth Championship and the First Arab Championship in Modern Pentathlon
Yesterday, Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the **press conference** marking the launch of the **U15 World Youth Modern Pentathlon Championship** and the **first-ever Arab Championship for national teams and clubs**—hosted by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Alexandria—was held. The competitions will continue from **August 13 to 17**, featuring more than **350 athletes** representing **26 countries**.
The conference was attended by:
* **Professor Dr. Ashraf Sobhy**, Minister of Youth and Sports
* **Field Marshal Ahmed Khaled Hassan**, Governor of Alexandria
* **Professor Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag**, President of the Arab Academy
* **Engineer Sherif Al‑Arian**, President of the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation and Vice President of the International Federation
* **Engineer Walid Khalil**, President of the Arab Modern Pentathlon Federation
* **Captain Ismail Musa**, President of the North African Modern Pentathlon Federation
* **Mr. Nasser Al‑Walid**, Vice President of the Arab Modern Pentathlon Federation
During the conference, **Minister Ashraf Sobhy** announced Egypt’s hosting of the U15 World Youth Championship and the inaugural Arab Championship for teams and clubs at the Academy’s headquarters. He emphasized that hosting these events reflects Egypt’s global sporting status and its capacity to organize major competitions. He also noted that political leadership’s support has made Egypt the go-to destination for international sporting events, with such tournaments serving as opportunities to discover talents and foster Arab and international cooperation.
Sobhy added that Egypt has become a hub for global sporting events since 2018, operating under a strategic vision that has led to the successful organization of **42 international events**.
He also praised the Academy’s capacity to host significant events across multiple fields, lauding its support for athletes and its role in international sports hosting. The Academy is recognized as a **strategic partner in nurturing Egyptian sports**, thanks to its advanced headquarters and branches equipped for hosting global tournaments.
In his speech, the President of the Academy expressed pride in hosting the General Assembly that gave rise to the Board of Directors of the Arab Modern Pentathlon Federation in July 2025. He emphasized that within just one year, the Academy has become the first platform for the Federation’s tournaments.
He highlighted that the Academy is the **only university in Egypt** to have hosted **eight world championships** in modern pentathlon—and this is the **ninth**—in addition to hosting an Arab and an African rugby championship since 2021. These achievements culminated in winning the **world’s best marketing championship award** in modern pentathlon, making the Academy officially the **world record holder** as the first university to host such a number of world championships—an unprecedented achievement in the history of global sports.
He underlined that the Academy’s core mission is to prepare youth intellectually and athletically to become future leaders, believing that **sports**—beyond mere recreation—can serve as a powerful soft tool to unify peoples, strengthen belonging and teamwork, and showcase Egypt’s and the Academy’s global standing.
He stressed that hosting these tournaments is not just sporting activity, but a message affirming that **sport and education** are twin pillars of development in the Arab world. The Academy believes in investing in youth, refining their skills, nurturing world-class athletes, and providing full support to them.
He concluded by extending his heartfelt gratitude to the **International Modern Pentathlon Federation**, the **Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation** led by Engineer Sherif Al‑Arian, the **Arab Modern Pentathlon Federation** headed by Engineer Walid Khalil, and all supporting institutions that entrusted and contributed to organizing this grand event in a manner befitting Egypt and the Academy. He wished all participating delegations **success in their competitions**, and a pleasant stay in Egypt—the land of peace and civilization—and at the Academy, whose doors are always open to Arab and international youth.
**Engineer Sherif Al‑Arian**, President of the Egyptian Modern Pentathlon Federation and Vice President of the International Federation, welcomed attendees and expressed his joy at the Academy hosting the U15 World Youth Championship and the first Arab Championship for teams and clubs.
He noted that Egypt’s start to the competition was truly successful, with both the boys' and girls' youth teams securing **gold medals** on the opening day. He expressed his hopes that the Egyptian team continues to excel until the finals, adds more achievements, and clinches gold at the **2028 Olympics** in modern pentathlon.
He confirmed Egypt's growing prominence in modern pentathlon, thanking the Minister of Youth and Sports for supporting the Egyptian teams and the President of the Academy for the effort made to successfully organize these championships on the Academy’s grounds.
On his part, **Captain Ismail Musa**, President of the North African Modern Pentathlon Federation, expressed his happiness at attending the conference marking the Academy’s organization of the U15 World Youth Championship and the first Arab Championship. He affirmed that the Academy has proven itself to be a **global sports platform** as well as a beacon of knowledge.
Musa emphasized that hosting the championship on Egyptian soil at the Academy's facilities demonstrates the **Arab and African region’s** capacity to host and organize major sporting events.
**Engineer Walid Khalil**, President of the Arab Modern Pentathlon Federation, expressed his pleasure at Egypt hosting the U15 World Youth Championship and the first Arab Championship at the Academy. He stated that hosting the first Arab modern pentathlon championship aims to promote the sport across the Arab world and expressed thanks to all members of the Arab Federation.