CAIRO, Feb 24 (MENA) - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said the Egyptian political leadership supports university sports in Africa, as it has a clear vision to promote this kind of sports on the African continent.

Madbouli made the remarks during his meeting on Monday with President of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) Leonz Eder, in the presence of Minister of Youth and Sports Ashraf Sobhi.

The premier said the government pays great attention to the university sports, given its key role in preparing a generation of university students that are interested in healthy lifestyles and good nutrition habits and capable of competition, in parallel with pursuing their academic studies to build themselves a good career.

In this regard, Madbouli stressed the government's keenness to make the latest sports equipment available in public and private universities to encourage students to practice all kinds of sports.

The prime minister noted the Egyptian State is highly interested in establishing sports facilities at the highest level, citing the new "Olympic City" that was constructed according to the latest international standards for hosting international sporting events.

For his part, the sports minister said Egypt backs university sports in Africa, as the country hosts many sporting events and offers logistical and technical support to African sports federations in order to maximize the contribution of university sports in developing African sports in various continental, international and Olympic competitions.

Sobhi added university sports qualify youth on the physical and mental levels, as they mainly contribute to preparing a new generation of athletes capable of competing at the international level.

For his part, the FISU president lauded the great support offered by Egypt to the university sports in Africa, especially as the country hosts the headquarters of the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU).

The FISU president also commended sports facilities built by the Egyptian government in the past few years, stressing this move enables the country to host more international sporting events. (MENA)

M R E/R E E