Egypt Hosts the Opening Ceremony of the African Universities Games 2026
In a major African sporting event, Egypt hosted the opening ceremony of the African Universities Games 2026, under the auspices of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), the Federation of African University Sports (FASU), and the Egyptian Universities Sports Federation, and under the patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The opening ceremony was attended by a distinguished number of senior officials and prominent sports figures, led by H.E. Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and President of the Egyptian Universities Sports Federation, Captain Gohar Nabil, Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, President of the Federation of African University Sports, and Mr. Leonz Eder, President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) participated in the championship activities through the attendance of Dr. Shady Abdel Aziz Mohamed, Director of Sports Affairs at the Academy’s Cairo Branches, Treasurer of the Egyptian and Arab Modern Pentathlon Federations, and Director of the Modern Pentathlon Competition at the African Universities Games.
The Academy is participating in the Games with a sports delegation consisting of 31 male and female athletes, representing AASTMT in 9 sports, including both team and individual sports. The delegation enters the competitions with high ambitions of achieving outstanding results and raising the Academy’s name at local, continental, and international sporting events.
The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport and the Sports Affairs Department wish all AASTMT athletes the very best of luck and success throughout the Games, and hope they achieve further accomplishments and distinguished results.
It is worth noting that the African Universities Games 2026 feature the participation of 18 African countries, represented by 82 universities and educational institutions, with more than 2,000 students and delegation members competing in 18 main sports, including 4 team sports and 14 individual sports. In addition, 4 para-sports have been included in the Games for the first time, along with 3 exhibition sports, also introduced for the first time.
The Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport wishes its sports delegation every success and hopes they achieve outstanding results that add to the Academy’s record of accomplishments and further enhance its standing in African and international sporting arenas.
Prime Minister Attends the Opening Ceremony of the 12th African Universities Games
Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt, attended the opening ceremony of the 12th African Universities Games, held at the Cairo International Stadium, in the presence of a number of ministers, presidents of sports federations and universities, as well as heads of participating delegations and missions.
The Prime Minister was welcomed by Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Mr. Gohar Nabil, Minister of Youth and Sports; Mr. Leonz Eder, President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU); Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, President of the Federation of African University Sports (FASU); and Dr. Ahmed Kamel Mehdi, President of the Organizing Committee of the Games.
The opening ceremony featured artistic and sporting performances reflecting Egyptian civilization and heritage, along with the official parade of participating countries and delegations, as well as speeches by a number of officials.
The Games are witnessing the participation of 18 African countries, represented by 82 universities and educational institutions, with more than 2,000 students and delegation members competing in 18 main sports, in addition to 4 para-sports and 3 exhibition sports, all introduced for the first time.
The Games also feature an Egyptian Civilization Exhibition, artistic and sporting performances, as well as a variety of recreational and cultural activities bringing together university students from across Africa.
Fencing
Congratulations
Congratulations to our National Fencing Team star and AASTMT Team member, Salma Sameh El Sheikh, enrolled in the College of Management – New Cairo, on winning:
The Gold Medal in the Women’s Épée Competition.
This achievement was accomplished during the Fencing Competition of the 2026 African Universities Games, held at El-Nady Club in the New Administrative Capital.
Swimming
Congratulations
Congratulations to our National Swimming Team stars and AASTMT Team members on their outstanding achievements:
Mohamed Ahmed Salem
Enrolled in the College of Management – Alexandria
Gold Medal in the Men’s 400m Freestyle.
Silver Medal in the Men’s 200m Butterfly.
Silver Medal in the Men’s 400m Individual Medley.
Seif Mehrez
Graduate of the College of Management – New Cairo
Silver Medal in the Men’s 50m Butterfly.
Silver Medal in the Men’s 50m Freestyle.
Youssef Gasser Megahed
Enrolled in the College of Computing – Smart Village
Silver Medal in the Men’s 100m Breaststroke.
Bronze Medal in the Men’s 200m Breaststroke.
Laila Amrusi
Enrolled in the College of Management – New Cairo
Maya Ragheb
Enrolled in the College of Engineering – Alexandria
Shahd Abdel Baki
Enrolled in the College of Management – Alexandria
Malak Nagi
Enrolled in the College of Medicine – Alamein
Bronze Medal in the Women’s 4×100m Freestyle Relay.
Shahd Abdel Baki
Bronze Medal in the Women’s 200m Backstroke.
These achievements were accomplished during the Swimming Competition of the 2026 African Universities Games, held at the American University in Cairo.
Taekwondo
Congratulations
Congratulations to our National Taekwondo Team stars and AASTMT Team members on their outstanding achievements:
Laila Sherif
Enrolled in the College of Art and Design – New Cairo
Gold Medal in the Women’s 57kg Weight Category.
Ahmed Yasser
Enrolled in the College of Engineering – New Cairo
Silver Medal in the Men’s 80kg Weight Category.
Mazen Mohamed
Enrolled in the College of Engineering – Alexandria
Silver Medal in the Men’s 68kg Weight Category.
These achievements were accomplished during the Taekwondo Competition of the 2026 African Universities Games, held at Misr University for Science and Technology.
Modern Pentathlon
Congratulations
Congratulations to our National Modern Pentathlon Team stars and AASTMT Team members, Youssef Biyoumi and Amer Ali, on their outstanding achievements:
Bronze Medal in the Men’s Team Competition.
4th Place in the Men’s Individual Competition — Youssef Biyoumi.
5th Place in the Men’s Individual Competition — Amer Ali.
These achievements were accomplished during the Modern Pentathlon Competition of the 2026 African Universities Games, held at the American University in Cairo.
Youssef Biyoumi
Enrolled in the College of Computing – Smart Village
Amer Ali
Enrolled in the College of Engineering – New Cairo
Judo
Congratulations
Congratulations to our National Judo Team stars and AASTMT Team members on their outstanding achievements:
Yehia Hamdy
Enrolled in the College of Engineering – Alexandria
Silver Medal in the Men’s 81kg Weight Category.
Hana Islam
Enrolled in the College of Engineering – New Cairo
Gold Medal in the Women’s 52kg Weight Category.
These achievements were accomplished during the Judo Competition of the 2026 African Universities Games, held at Misr University for Science and Technology.
Athletics
Congratulations
Congratulations to our National Athletics Team star and AASTMT Team member, Ahmed Hamdy Mahmoud, an AASTMT athlete enrolled in the College of Engineering – New Cairo, on achieving:
Silver Medal in the Men’s Discus Throw Competition.
This achievement was accomplished during the Athletics Competition of the 2026 African Universities Games, held at the Olympic Center.
Karate
Congratulations
Congratulations to our National Karate Team stars and AASTMT Team members on their outstanding achievements:
Yassin Ahmed Adel
Enrolled in the College of Engineering – New Cairo
Silver Medal in the +84kg Weight Category.
Gamila Ahmed Okeil
Enrolled in the College of Engineering – New Cairo
Bronze Medal in the 55kg Weight Category.
Malak Ayman Kandil
Enrolled in the College of Management – Alexandria
Bronze Medal in the 50kg Weight Category.
Bronze Medal
Gamila Ahmed Okeil – Malak Ayman Kandil – Malak Wael El-Sayed – Mariam Wael El-Sayed
Malak Wael El-Sayed
Bronze Medal.
Bronze Medal
Malak Wael El-Sayed – Mariam Wael El-Sayed – Malak Ayman Kandil – Gamila Ahmed Okeil
These achievements were accomplished during the Karate Competition of the 2026 African Universities Games, held at Misr University for Science and Technology.
Closing Ceremony of the 12th African Universities Games “Cairo 2026”
The 12th African Universities Games “Cairo 2026” came to a close after being hosted by the Arab Republic of Egypt from September 8 to 16, 2026, in the presence of Dr. Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture, and Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, President of the Federation of African University Sports (FASU), along with a number of senior state officials, representatives of sports federations and universities, and participating delegations.
The closing ceremony featured a number of artistic and protocol activities, including a presentation highlighting the most memorable moments of the Games and a documentary film. The ceremony concluded with the handover of the Games flag to Algeria, which will host the next edition.
Attendees emphasized that “Cairo 2026” went beyond being a sporting competition, becoming an African gathering that brought together university students from across the continent. The Games contributed to promoting the values of fair competition, cooperation, friendship, and knowledge exchange, while opening new opportunities for academic, cultural, and sporting interaction among African youth.
The ceremony also honored the American University in Cairo, which ranked first in the overall standings of the Games, as well as the Egyptian delegation, which topped the participating countries’ standings. A number of students, volunteers, and presidents of the universities that hosted the Games’ competitions were also honored in recognition of their efforts and contributions to the success of this continental event.
The Games brought together 2,082 participants, including 1,688 students and 394 administrators, representing 18 countries and 82 universities. They competed in 18 sports, in addition to 4 para-sports and 3 exhibition sports, alongside a range of artistic, cultural, and scientific activities.
Held under the slogan “One Flame… One Continent,” the Games highlighted the importance of university sports as a bridge connecting young people across Africa, fostering cooperation and building relationships that extend beyond the conclusion of the competitions.
Total Medals Won: 23 Medals
Gold Medals: 4
Silver Medals: 10
Bronze Medals: 9
| Sport | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fencing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Swimming | 1 | 5 | 3 | 9 |
| Taekwondo | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Modern Pentathlon | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Judo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Athletics | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Karate | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Total | 4 | 10 | 9 | 23 |
4th Place in the Men’s Individual Modern Pentathlon Competition: Youssef Biyoumi.
5th Place in the Men’s Individual Modern Pentathlon Competition: Amer Ali.
The AASTMT delegation participating in the 12th African Universities Games “Cairo 2026” achieved a total of 23 medals across 7 sports, comprising 4 Gold Medals, 10 Silver Medals, and 9 Bronze Medals, in addition to securing 4th and 5th places in the Men’s Individual Modern Pentathlon Competition.
