By Ashraf Sadek CAIRO, June 9, 2018 (News Wires) - President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on Saturday directed the national football team members to enhance their performance and exert their best efforts during the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup, which would kick off on June 14. The Egyptian players are scheduled to face Uruguay, one of the remarkable Latin teams participating in the World Cup, on Friday, June 15, within the framework of Group A matches. The top two teams will advance to the Round of 16. In an expression of appreciation, President Sisi received the team members at the Presidential Palace and asked them to gratify and gladden all the Egyptians and football fans around the world with their expected victories during the matches. Speaking to the team members and their coach Hector Cuper, President asserted that he wanted to express the Egyptians' regards, esteem and appreciation for the team. "You will not just cheer Egyptians, but all viewers. I would like to ask you to fare well. I do appreciate your expected efforts and I thank you in advance," the President told the national members, who pledged to give a magnificent performance and master the World Cup matches. President Sisi expressed profound appreciation of the national football team for its expected honourable performance in Russia, which would reflect the Egyptians true identity and their glorious civilization. President Sisi asserted that national team had always won the appreciation of the whole Egyptian people as well as the esteem of football fans all over the world. He also asked that the players to demonstrate such dedication and loyalty to their country that would enable them to make big achievements in Russia, Presidency Spokesman Ambassador Bassam Radi said in his roundup of the meeting, which was attended by Youth and Sports Minister Khaled Abdel Aziz. President Sisi asserted the importance of having an honorable Egyptian participation in the World Cup tournament after a 28-year absence, adding that the team was taking part in the World Cup in a way that would honour Egypt and the Egyptians. He said that he had full confidence in the abilities and strong will of the Egyptian players, who were up to the responsibility and would prove that they had a strong will to distinguish themselves in the World Cup matches. President Sisi said that he had instructed the government to build and equip a comprehensive sports centre for the youth in each newly built city. President Sisi stressed that each newly built city should have one of these comprehensive centres that must be open for the young people all over the year. Besides offering sports services, the proposed centres should host regular cultural and artistic activities that aim at promoting awareness among the nation's young, President Sisi said.
