By Manal El Warraky
A ceremony was held at the Turkish Embassy in Cairo to mark Youth and Sports Day and Atatürk Day, May 19, with the participation of many guests, especially young people.
During the ceremony, various sports competitions were held, including table tennis, wrestling, and archery, with the participation of young people.
In his speech at the ceremony, Turkish Ambassador to Cairo Salih Mutlu Şen said that this holiday was a gift from the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, to Turkish youth.
Ambassador Şen emphasized that youth represent hope and the future, and that sports strengthen friendship. He added, “We want to organize friendship and brotherhood matches between Turkey and Egypt at the club and national team levels.” In this context, he stated that a friendly match will be held this year between the national under-21 football teams to mark the centenary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Egypt.
He noted that he plans to discuss these activities, which will be implemented in cooperation with the Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports. Ambassador Şen also stated that Egypt, as a country with a bright future and a vibrant youth, boasts talented youth in the field of sports. He added that Egyptian athlete Adam Asil became a world champion in gymnastics under the Turkish flag, saying, “Asil is our shared pride.” He noted that Adam Asil visited him last year.
He also stated that Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool player, and Arda Güler, the Real Madrid player, represent role models for Egyptian and Turkish youth.
Ambassador Şen stated that Youth and Sports Day is also a day to commemorate Atatürk, saying, “We remember him and our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Turkey at a young age, our fifteen-year-old youth, with compassion, gratitude, and appreciation.”
Ambassador Şen noted the Turkish national teams’ interest in participating in regional and international competitions held in Egypt, emphasizing that the largest team in Egypt is usually the Turkish team, regardless of the tournament they participate in.
In this context, he added that he last watched the Karate World Championships in Cairo, and that a Turkish athlete of Egyptian origin named Zein also participated in the tournament.
Ambassador Salih Mutlu Şen explained that May 19 is Freedom and Independence Day, and that Atatürk entrusted the future to the youth. He stated that Palestinian youth are also the future of Palestine’s independence and freedom.
Ambassador Şen added that he hosted the Palestinian youth today out of this belief, that Turkey and Egypt continue to support Palestine’s struggle for freedom and a future. He expressed his belief that Palestinian youth will continue their struggle for a free Palestine that will live in peace, security, and freedom.
Ambassador Şen stated that humanity was put to the test in Gaza, and that this test was a test of conscience and law. He emphasized that just as Israeli children and youth deserve a free, honorable, and secure future, Palestinian children and youth also deserve a free, honorable, and secure future.
Ambassador Saleh Mutlu concluded his remarks by advising all youth to “never deviate from human dignity, justice, and the path to peace.”
At the end of the ceremony, a raffle was held for three free airline tickets, provided as gifts by A Jet, with two Egyptian girls and one Palestinian girl winning the raffle.
