Higher Education: Countdown begins for the launch of the 12th African University Games "Cairo 2026"
Cairo - Ahmed Sabry: The countdown has begun for the launch of the 12th African University Games, “Cairo 2026,” which Egypt will host from September 8 to 16, 2026. Organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the African University Sports Union, and the Egyptian University Sports Union, this marks the first time in the tournament’s history that Egypt is hosting the event. The games will feature delegations from 17 African countries and approximately 2,000 athletes and officials representing 81 universities, bringing together the youth of the continent on Egyptian soil.
In this context, Dr. Abdelaziz Qonsoowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Acting Minister of Culture, emphasized the importance of Egypt hosting this edition, describing it as an opportunity to enhance the role of Egyptian universities in supporting university sports, strengthening ties of communication and cooperation among African university youth, and showcasing Egypt’s capacity to host and organize major continental university and sporting events.
The games will see the participation of 81 universities from 17 African countries, along with approximately 2,000 athletes and officials, reflecting the scale of involvement in this event and underscoring the tournament’s significance in fostering communication, sporting competition, and the exchange of experiences among university youth from across the continent.
Egyptian universities will host the participating delegations, providing an opportunity for direct interaction between Egyptian students and their peers from various African countries. This will further reinforce the role of universities as centers for cultural and civilizational exchange, alongside their academic and sporting functions.
The “Cairo 2026” program includes competitions in 18 main sports, alongside three recreational games and four Paralympic sports, offering a diverse program that combines sporting competitions with recreational activities, while promoting values of participation, competition, and experience sharing.
The inclusion of Paralympic events within the tournament’s activities reflects a commitment to supporting the participation of students with disabilities and entrenching the values of inclusion and equal opportunity in university sports.
Competitions will be held at several universities and sports facilities in Greater Cairo, including Ain Shams University, the New Capital University, the American University in Cairo, the Olympic Center in Maadi, and the stadiums of Al Ahly Club in the New Administrative Capital.
The stadiums of Al Ahly Club in the New Administrative Capital, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, are among the venues hosting the tournament’s competitions. These facilities are independent of the New Capital University.
The games will feature a number of accompanying events and activities aimed at enhancing cultural communication among African university youth and highlighting shared values among the continent’s peoples, thereby strengthening the cultural and developmental dimensions of the event alongside the sporting competitions.
The tournament also serves as a platform for networking and experience sharing among African university youth, strengthening bonds of friendship and cooperation through sports, which contributes to building new bridges of communication among the continent’s youth.
The games carry a unified visual identity that reflects the spirit of youth and African belonging, alongside the official mascot, “Tots Hup,” inspired by ancient Egyptian civilization, symbolizing the strength of youth and their aspirations for the future.
Media preparations for the launch of “Cairo 2026” are ongoing through a promotional plan that includes advertising the tournament’s logo and mascot, implementing a daily countdown to the start of competitions, and disseminating news, video content, and promotional materials about the event across various media and digital platforms. This aims to raise awareness of the event and reach the widest possible audience of university youth within Egypt and across Africa.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the African University Sports Union, and the Egyptian University Sports Union, in coordination with universities and relevant authorities, are continuing to finalize organizational, logistical, and media arrangements to welcome delegations and participants. These efforts aim to ensure that the 12th African University Games, “Cairo 2026,” are held in a manner befitting Egypt’s status and its role in supporting university sports and enhancing cooperation and communication among the youth of the African continent.
