Sisi orders review of support for Egyptian sports federations after Paris 2024 Olympics

CAIRO – 21 September 2024: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has ordered a package of immediate measures to bolster the sports sector, including a detailed legal examination of the allocation of funds to sports federations that partook in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

In light of a report from Minister of Sports Ashraf Sobhi, President Sisi has mandated a comprehensive assessment of the performance of all sports federations that represented Egypt in the Paris 2024 Olympics, as part of the Egyptian delegation, according to a statement released by the Presidency on Saturday.

These new presidential directives aim to enhance the sports system's performance, establish principles of accountability and transparency, and eliminate any barriers hindering athletes and various sports elements, the statement said.

Sisi has called for a review of the grants provided to specific federations based on their performance in the recent Olympics, to clarify grant criteria and set stringent regulations for future funding support.

Furthermore, the president has ordered an examination of providing suitable support to federations that achieved remarkable standings in the competitions, even when not anticipated, to boost their performance and participation in upcoming events.

On the other side, Sisi has instructed appropriate measures against federations whose members “have negatively impacted the reputation of Egyptian sports,” the statement added.

He has also directed limiting participation in sports where Egypt lacks a competitive advantage, while focusing on promising athletes in these games.

Sisi has stressed the need to establish selection criteria by comparing local achievements with their Olympic counterparts.

Additionally, he has mandated a reduction in the number of technical and administrative staff in Olympic delegations, tasking relevant ministries to coordinate in preparing the best candidates for competition.

Lastly, the president has instructed authorities to review the plan for participation in future Olympic games, considering proposed regulations and measures to ensure optimal achievements by participating athletes.

Sisi has directed that this plan be presented to the Cabinet for a decision and urged the government to prioritize amending the sports law, submitting it to the House of Representatives as soon as possible.

Olympic recap: Looking back at the games

Looking back at the Paris 2024 Olympics, held from July 26 to August 11, Egypt experienced a mix of successes and setbacks.

Ahmed El-Gendy, 24, triumphantly secured the gold medal in modern pentathlon, while powerhouse Sara Samir, 26, claimed the silver in weightlifting, and 21-year-old fencer Mohamed El-Sayed earned the bronze.

In August, Sisi extended his congratulations to these Egyptian champions, praising them for raising Egypt's profile on the global stage.

However, some Egyptian athletes fell short of expectations in disciplines like Greco-Roman wrestling, taekwondo, and shooting during the games.