Development of sports' infrastructure a positive step in general: Sisi

CAIRO – 17 June 2019: “The development of sports' infrastructure for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be a positive for Egyptian sports in general,” said President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi Sunday during his visit to the Cairo International Stadium.

According to a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady, President Sisi followed up the final preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to be hosted by Egypt between June 21 and July 19 in the presence of Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli and Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhy.

Rady’s statement added that the president praised the government’s efforts during the last period for the development of sports facilities and stadiums hosting the African nations championship.

Sisi visited on Saturday the National Football Team in the Air Defense Stadium while training for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) .The president wished the team members good luck, and asserted his confidence that they realize the heavy responsibility they shoulder. He urged them to devote hard efforts to please the Egyptian people who pay them respect and appreciation.

President Sisi underlined that the team members must show discipline and decent behavior as they are a reflection of Egypt’s ancient civilization and its great people.

On their side, the players thanked the president for his visit, promising that they would do their best to fill the hearts of millions of Egyptians with joy. They also gave him a T-shirt signed by them.

Egypt will open the 2019 African nations championship against Zimbabwe on June 21 at Cairo International Stadium.