Sisi to name some bridges after Olympic champs, says he practice karate since 1970

CAIRO – 9 August 2021: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al Sisi said that he will name some of the bridges and main axes that will be inaugurated after karate player Feryal Ashraf and her fellow Olympic champions in appreciation of their big sport achievements at the Tokyo Games.

During a phone call to Egypt's channel one, Sunday night, President Sisi congratulated Feryal and her family, pledging to gift her mother a hajj trip as a reward for her efforts.

“You made us all happy and honored. I thank you and all of your efforts.” Sisi said. He added that Feryal achievement was not only for Egypt but for the Entire Arab region.

“I practice karate since 1970, and I’m interested personally in this game and happy to see such an achievement.” Sisi said during his call.

He noted that Feryal ‘presented a wonderful image for every girl of her age’ and ‘achieved success which everybody is talking about it.’

Answering TV anchor Youssef el Husseini questions on giving more interest in Egypt on creating athletes and Olympic champions, Sisi praised the importance of the family support in following up with their children to practice sports.

He said that he watched the circulated video of Feryal’s family encouraging and supporting her from their home while playing her match in the Olympics. He added that he saw a ‘simple, regular Egyption family, same as the majority of Egyptians’.

Sisi explained that this was a message that such success could be achieved by anyone who is determine to do so.

Sisi also noted that more than 4,000 youth centers have been renovated over the past six years as part of Egypt's national program to support youth and sports.

After winning her match on Saturday, Sisi congratulated Feryal Ashraf on winning Egypt's first gold medal at Tokyo Olympic Games on social media.

"I would like to congratulate Feryal Ashraf on winning a gold medal in Karate at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. It is a new achievement that makes us proud and proves the Egyptians' ability to fulfil achievements in all fields. I am proud of my daughter Feryal Ashraf and every Egyptian who honors Egypt in the international events." President Sisi tweeted.

Feryal defeated the World no.1 Irina Zaretska from Azerbaijan 2-0 in the final to clinch the gold medal.

Feryal became the first Egyptian girl to win a gold medal in the Olympic Games and the 8th athlete in the nation's history to achieve a gold medal.

The Egyptian national anthem was played at the Olympic Games for the first time since Athens Olympic Games in 2004 when Karam Gaber won the gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling.

 In the sport's historic debut at the Olympic Games, the Egyptian karate team managed to win two medals for Egypt as Giana Farouk won the bronze medal on Friday.