2 days ago
World Modern Pentathlon kicks off in Alexandria
CAIRO: The U-15 World Modern Pentathlon Championships kicked off Wednesday at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Alexandria, with the participation of 350 male and female athletes from 26 countries, including Kuwait.
Kuwait is participating in the championship, which continues until August 17, with a team representing the Kuwait Modern Pentathlon Federation. The modern pentathlon includes various disciplines, including swimming, fencing, equestrian (show jumping), pistol shooting, running, and Laser Run (the athlete shoots at targets, then runs a distance, repeating the process several times until the finish line).
The first day featured women's relay races, followed by swimming and Laser Run, before the award ceremony. The men's competitions will later begin with the steeple chase, followed by swimming and Laser Run, followed by an awards ceremony.
The Egyptian duo of Ghazal Mahmoud and Nour Ramadan won the gold medal in the junior women's relay with a total score of 892 points, who won the silver medal with 818 points. The Guatemalan team came in third with 797 points.
The Egyptian duo of Adam Shukri and Mohannad Khader also won the gold medal in the men's relay, while the Turkish duo finished second and the Mexican duo third. During a press conference announcing the tournament details, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Ashraf Sobhi said that Egypt seeks to become a regional and global hub for hosting major sporting events as part of a strategic plan that began in 2018.
He added that Egypt's success in organizing these events strengthens the confidence of international federations in its logistical capabilities and infrastructure and showcases the true image of Egypt to the world. He pointed out that Egypt's hosting of the U-19 World Handball Championship and the Men's World Championship amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to hosting the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in just five months, are all testaments to Egypt's organizational prowess.
Sobhi explained that these successes prompted President Abdelfattah Al-Sisi to send a message to the international community that Egypt is capable of organizing an event of the scale of the Olympic Games. Sobhi emphasized the continuation of efforts to develop the youth and sports sector with the support of the political leadership, and with Egypt currently preparing to host the U-15 World Modern Pentathlon Championship and the Arab Championship, reflecting international confidence in its organizational capabilities. — KUNA
