As the London Games approach, the British Embassy hosted Egypt's Olympic football team, reports Ghada Abdel-Kader The British Embassy and the British Council held Sports Day in the embassy's gardens on Monday, with the involvement of Egypt's Olympic football team and several of the Egyptian national team players before their departure to London for the Olympic Games. As part of the activities, the Olympic team and children of the International Inspiration programme played a friendly match. British Ambassador to Cairo James Watt told Al-Ahram Weekly the event was held for two main purposes. "First, to process visas for the Olympic team. We asked them to come here for details. They will have it very soon with no troubles. Second, to get into the mood; get excited about the London Olympics which will take place in six weeks time. And to celebrate sport in general with very nice kids as part of the British Council International Inspiration programme." Director of the British Council in Egypt Mark Stephens, said, "It is a source of opportunity for a lot of young Egyptian schoolchildren to meet their football players as inspiration figures for them. It is a fun, informal event. It is intended to convey part of the spirit of the Olympics which is about having a good time and enjoying yourself through sport." And Egypt's Olympic national team coach Hani Ramzi said "we are glad we are part of this event." Egypt's Olympic football team is going to the Olympics after an absence of 20 years. Egypt will be in Group C with Brazil, Belarus and New Zealand. About preparations, Ramzi explained, "We started to collect information about the teams and watched some of their matches. We hope we reach the semi-final. Our big dream is to achieve an Olympic medal for Egypt. "We had a closed training camp in Cairo Stadium before we go to the 9th edition of the Arab Cup in Saudi Arabia" from 22 June to 6 July." In the Arab Cup, Egypt was drawn in Group C with Iraq, Sudan and Lebanon. Group A includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Palestine while Group B includes Libya, Morocco, Bahrain and Yemen. Egypt was the 20th and last country to join the ground-breaking international London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games Sports Legacy Programme. About the choice of Egypt, Stephens said, "Egypt is important and a significant country in the Middle East. We were actually delighted when we heard that it will be participating in the International Inspiration Programme." International Inspiration reached 12 million children, a year ahead of schedule, in July 2011. With the programme launching in Egypt, International Inspiration has realised London 2012's legacy promise to reach 12 million children in 20 countries around the world in time for this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games. "On Thursday, the UK and Egypt will sign a two-year agreement which is the framework for the International Inspiration programme. This programme will work with schools and universities, the National Sports Council, Egyptian Paralympics committee and Egyptian Olympic Committee to deliver programme to improve sport taught and delivered across Egypt," added Stephens. Working with Egyptian policy makers and practitioners International Inspiration will support the delivery of the Egyptian National Development Plan by building on going physical education, sport and play activities and projects. It will widen access for children and young people to participate and realise their full potential in high quality and inclusive PE and sports in schools and communities additionally focusing on girls, marginalised children and those with special needs. International Inspiration will engage 15 Egyptian schools and major universities in Cairo, Assiut and Alexandria. Watt said, "The programme will encourage practicing of sport and give them self-confidence and leadership skills as well as make them fit." It aims to link Egyptian schools and universities with partners in the UK through the power of sport. The links will enable schools and universities to share good practices and adopt innovative approaches in the use of PE, sport and play to benefit children, young people and the wider community. International Inspiration, delivered by the British Council, UNICEF and UK Sport, is bringing to life the promise made by the London 2012 bid team in Singapore in 2005 who pledged to reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so that they are inspired to choose sport. International Inspiration is focusing on ensuring that initiatives are sustainable and will leave a lasting legacy in all 20 countries after the final year of the programme in 2014.
