The Arabic Rugby Sevens Championship 2021 Qualifiers
Six men's teams and five women's teams are participating in the Arab Rugby Championship.
Hossam Sahib, the president of the Egyptian Rugby Union, confirmed the Academy's outstanding success in hosting the Arab Rugby Championship in February 2021, as well as organizing the World Championships for Youth and Juniors in Modern Pentathlon in July and September 2021. The Academy has become a destination for international sports championships, with excellent infrastructure comparable to European countries. The success of these championships is attributed to the guidance of the Academy's president, Prof. Dr. Ismail Abdelghafar Ismail, and the significant support he provides, along with the concerted efforts of the Academy's staff to ensure their success.
Subsequently, the African Rugby Union announced that the Arab Republic of Egypt will host the North Group qualifiers for the African Rugby Sevens (Men and Women) Championship 2022 and the Rugby Sevens World Cup. The tournament took place on December 17 and 18, 2021, in Alexandria, with the participation of six men's teams (Egypt, Tunisia, Senegal, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania) and five women's teams (Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania). The competition witnessed intense rivalry among the men's teams, which had prepared well for the matches. The first and second-placed teams in the men's category and the first-placed team in the women's category will qualify for the African Rugby Sevens Championship scheduled for April 2022.
Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, the Minister of Youth and Sports, met with Mr. Qais Al-Thalai, the President of the Asian and Arab Rugby Federations, to expand the base of rugby practice in Egypt and discuss preparations for hosting the Arab Rugby Championship at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport in Abu Qir, Alexandria.
Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, the Minister of Youth and Sports, attended the celebration organized by the Egyptian Rugby Union to honor the Egyptian men's and women's rugby teams for securing the first place in the Arab Rugby Sevens Championship. The event took place at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport in Abu Qir, Alexandria.
The ceremony was also attended by Qais Al-Thalai, the President of the Asian and Arab Rugby Federations, Hossam Sahib, the President of the Egyptian Rugby Union, Dr. Alaa Gabr, the Vice President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, Engineer Sherif El-Aryan, the Secretary-General of the Committee, Dr. Mohamed Al-Kurdi, the Assistant Minister of Sports, and Dr. Abdel Awwal Mohamed, the Deputy Minister for Championship Affairs. Representatives from various sports associations, clubs, the Egyptian and Arab Rugby Federations, and Dr. Sabry Hassanein, the Vice President of the Egyptian University Sports Federation, were also present.
During the ceremony, a documentary film was shown, and the history of rugby was presented. The event discussed the ways to spread and develop the game of rugby in Egypt, making Egypt a regional center for the sport in Africa. It also highlighted Egypt's preparations for participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Dr. Ashraf Sobhi emphasized that the Ministry will work to expand the base of rugby practice in the coming period, increasing the number of teams and players in the game. He assured full support for the Egyptian Rugby Union in the future.
Qais Al-Thalai, the President of the Asian and Arab Rugby Federations, expressed gratitude to the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Egyptian Olympic Committee, and the Egyptian Rugby Union. Hossam Sahib, the President of the Egyptian Rugby Union, stated that Egypt is on the right path to developing the game, becoming a newcomer in rugby. He highlighted the support received by the Egyptian Rugby Union.
Hossam Sahib also praised Egypt's successful organization of the North African qualifiers held at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport in Alexandria from December 17 to 19. The tournament witnessed strong competition, and its success led to discussions about the possibility of hosting an annual African rugby championship in Egypt. He expressed satisfaction with Egypt's first participation in African championships, considering that rugby is relatively new in the country, with the Egyptian Rugby Union established only three years ago.
The Egyptian Rugby Union is honored to express sincere thanks and appreciation to your Excellency for the support and assistance provided to us and to the sport of rugby in Egypt. We also commend the efforts and outstanding contributions made in showcasing the cultural face of Egypt through hosting the Arab Rugby Championship at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport in February 2021. The remarkable efforts of the working group under your leadership have not gone unnoticed.
