Just before Egypt was hit by a two-day spell of Khamasin winds—Khamasin or Khamaseen is the local word for the Spring season hot sandstorms that constitute the worst weather Egyptians can think of—the country celebrated World Bicycle Day on 31 May.
That day, the Ministry of Youth and Sports launched a bicycling marathon for which took in the morning morning at the New Administrative Capital some 50km east of Cairo. Some 5000 men and women from all over Egypt participated. The marathon started at the headquarters of the Administrative Control Authority in the New Administrative Capital, and ended at the government district in the city. On the way, bikers passed by some of the New Capital’s famous landmarks.
Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, was himself a participant. Cairo Governor Major General Khaled Abdel-Aal, was on hand for the start of the marathon.
Mr Sobhy said that sports and health figure highly on the State objectives. The political leadership, he pointed out, is very keen on spreading an active sports culture among Egyptians, given that this should work towards enhancing public health and fitness.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Minister said, works to motivate youth to take on bicycles as an economic and healthy means of transport. He reminded of the presidential initiative “Your Bike Your Health” launched by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in 2020 under the auspices of President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, to provide bikes to men and women at reduced prices and payment facilities to encourage the use of bicycles as a means of transport. So far, he said, four phases of “Your Bike Your Health” have been executed, what with the huge demand and turnover.
On the sidelines of the marathon, the Minister of Youth and Cairo Governor had a look at the bicycles to be offered by the project “Increase your income” which is carried out in cooperation with Talabat, a food delivery company. Talabat is an online food ordering platform in the Middle East; it was founded in Kuwait, and operates in various Arab countries. According to a Protocol of Cooperation signed between the Ministry of Youth and Talabat, youth who obtain bicycles from the Ministry can work with Talabat as self-employed delivery staff. The project aims for participants to increase their incomes to improve their standards of living and quality of life.
Watani International
2 June 2023
