By Manal Abdel Fattah
Red Chinese decorative lanterns hung next to the flags of Egypt and China in one of the covered halls of the Cairo International Stadium, where the Egyptian Wushu Kung Fu Federation held a joyful celebration that included Wushu performances and Chinese folk dances as part of the “Chinese Spring Festival Championship” activities.
The celebration began with a dragon dance to celebrate the Year of the Dragon, which is a symbol of the Chinese Lunar New Year that began on February 10. Then a number of “lions” joined the dragon during the performance amid the cheers and applause of the audience who filled the hall.
The dragon and lion dance was followed by a number of wushu performances presented by Egyptian athletes wearing traditional Chinese costumes.
Egyptian champion Sami Abdullah, 28 years old, who holds the Egyptian Wushu Championship title several times in a row, was among the athletes who performed the Wushu Sanda during the celebration.
The Egyptian athlete said, “These activities help bring Egyptian and Chinese cultures closer together and also spread the Chinese-origin Wushu sport in Egypt.”
The ceremony was held one day before the conclusion of the four-day Chinese Spring Festival Championship, in which thousands of Egyptian players from different age groups participated, and the winners were awarded prizes, medals and certificates of appreciation.
The celebration was attended by Egyptian and Chinese officials and diplomats, including the Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports, Ashraf Sobhi, the Chinese Ambassador to Egypt, Liao Liqiang, and the President of the Egyptian, Arab, and African Wushu Federations, Sherif Mostafa.
Sherif Mostafa, who is also Vice President of the International Wushu Federation, described Wushu as “a wonderful art that expresses the beauty and wisdom of the Chinese spirit.”
The President of the Egyptian Federation said in his speech, “It is an art that expresses courage, challenge, and mental discipline. We here in Egypt appreciate and respect this ancient art, and we seek to enhance cultural and sports exchange between the peoples of Egypt and China.”
He added, “Our presence here today reflects the close cooperation between the two countries in the fields of sports and culture.”
After that, a video was shown on a large screen highlighting the distinguished Egyptian-Chinese relations over the past decades, since Egypt was the first Arab and African country to establish diplomatic relations with China in 1956.
After the celebration, the Wushu competitions began with a number of exciting matches, while the audience chanted in support of their favorite players.
Egyptian champion Omar Mamdouh, 29 years old, who won a bronze medal at the 2019 World Wushu Championships held in China, achieved an impressive victory in the opening match of the main event.
Mamdouh said: “When we were in China to compete in the 2019 World Championship, we received the best treatment and welcome, and the atmosphere was one of mutual friendliness and cooperation.”
Mamdouh praised that the Chinese Spring Festival Championship brings together professionals and beginners across the country to provide the opportunity for the largest number of participants, “and this motivated all young Wushu players to participate.”
The Egyptian athlete confirmed that the popularity of Wushu is constantly increasing in Egypt.
The audience, including the families of the young players and fans of some players, praised the organization of the event and the performances presented during the celebration.
Nourhan Amr, a high school student, said that she was amazed by the performances, especially the dragon show presented by an Egyptian folk band.
The young Egyptian woman added, “The celebration was very beautiful. The Chinese folklore performances attract Egyptians and arouse their curiosity to learn more about Chinese culture, and the wushu matches were also very exciting.”
