Egypt Athletics Federation, on track for unprecedented greatness — President Hakim

Egypt Athletics Federation, on track for unprecedented greatness — President Hakim

The President of the Egyptian Athletics Federation, General Hatem Fouda, on Thursday says the federation is in line for remarkable greatness in the next two to three years.

He made this public in an interview at Eko Hotels after what he described as an illuminating experience at the Africa Running Conference held in Lagos.

The president emphasised that some key lessons from the conference, particularly on community engagement and grassroots development, will shape the federation’s immediate strategy.

“It's been an eventful conference, so far, but the part I appreciate the most, was the point of community engagement,” he said, adding that the federation will broaden its focus beyond elite performers to nurture talent at school and community levels.

General Fouda stressed that the Conference’s discussions on mass participation, coach education and community outreach were “major eye-openers” and that he would adopt several practical ideas back home.

He noted that investing in youth programmes, local club networks and school competitions will be central to the federation’s plan to build depth and sustainability in Egyptian Athletics.

The Africa Running Conference, which brought together race organisers, federation officials and technical experts from across the continent and beyond is living up to expectations as a key forum for reshaping road running and mass participation in Africa ahead of major city marathons and road-race calendars.

For Fouda, the trip also had a personal flavour, it was his first visit to Nigeria.

“This is my first time in Nigeria, it’s a very lovely country and I am happy to spend a few days here,” he said, promising follow-up visits to study youth programmes and community-running initiatives more closely.