Embassy of Turkey in Cairo Celebrates Youth/Sports Day as Atatürk Memorial Day flashes May19

Ashraf AboAraf reports

The Turkish Embassy in Cairo hosted a vibrant celebration on the occasion of Youth and Sports Day and the Commemoration of Atatürk, held annually on May 19. The event took place at the ambassador’s residence and brought together a large number of guests, particularly young people from Egypt and Palestine, as well as diplomats and sports figures.

The festivities featured a variety of sports competitions, including table tennis, arm wrestling, and archery, fostering a spirit of camaraderie and youth engagement.

In his keynote speech, Turkish Ambassador to Egypt Salih Mutlu Şen emphasized the symbolic significance of the day, noting that it was a gift from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey, to the youth of the nation.

> “Youth represent hope and the future, and sports foster friendship,” he said.

Ambassador Şen announced that Turkey aims to organize friendly matches between Turkish and Egyptian teams, both at the club and national levels. In celebration of the centenary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, a friendly football match between the U-21 national teams of Turkey and Egypt is planned for later this year, in cooperation with Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports.

He also praised Egypt’s dynamic youth and sporting potential, citing the example of Adam Assil, an Egyptian-born gymnast competing under the Turkish flag, whom he described as “a shared pride.” The ambassador further highlighted Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Arda Güler of Real Madrid as inspiring figures for young people in both countries.

Reflecting on the day’s national importance, Şen said:

> “May 19 is also a day to remember Atatürk and honor the young martyrs who gave their lives for Turkey. We commemorate them with gratitude and reverence.”

He noted Turkey’s keen interest in participating in regional and international sports tournaments hosted in Egypt, recalling the World Karate Championship held in Cairo, where a Turkish athlete of Egyptian origin, Zein, also competed.

Solidarity with the Palestinian People

In a deeply humanistic gesture, the ambassador welcomed Palestinian youth to the event, reaffirming Turkey and Egypt’s shared support for the Palestinian struggle.

> “Palestinian youth are the future of an independent and free Palestine,” he declared.

He described the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a test of global conscience and justice, emphasizing:

> “Just as Israeli children and youth deserve a free, honorable, and safe future, so too do Palestinian children and youth.”

Ambassador Şen concluded his remarks with a powerful message to all young people:

> “Never stray from the path of human dignity, justice, and peace.”

The celebration concluded with a raffle draw for three airline tickets, generously sponsored by A Jet, with the lucky winners being two Egyptian young women and a Palestinian girl—a symbolic gesture of unity and hope for the future.