29/03/2026
Red Sea Emerges as a Premier Sports Destination with Successful Conclusion of World Aquatics and Egyptian Equestrian Championships
The Red Sea Governorate, specifically Soma Bay Resort, witnessed the successful conclusion of two major sporting events: the Open Water Swimming World Cup and the Egyptian Equestrian Cup Finals for the 2025–2026 season. This dual hosting underscores Egypt’s growing status as a regional and global hub for prestigious sporting events, highlighting the readiness of the governorate’s world-class tourism and sports facilities to organize international competitions to the highest standards. The Open Water Swimming World Cup, organized by World Aquatics, featured strong competition among athletes from 28 participating countries, reflecting a high level of performance and sportsmanship.
In parallel, the Egyptian Equestrian Federation concluded the finals of the Egyptian Cup, with outstanding performances from the country’s top riders. In the Big Tour category, rider Alaa Maysara claimed first place, followed by Ismail Osama El-Barqi in second and Seif El-Din Essam Abbas in third. In the Medium Tour category, Laila Hossam Abdel Moneim secured first place, ahead of Abdullah Haitham Brown and Mohamed El-Metwally. The championship saw the participation of approximately 160 riders in a highly organized and competitive environment, reflecting the continued growth and development of equestrian sports in Egypt.
Dr. Walid El-Barqi, Red Sea Governor , expressed pride in hosting such high-profile events, emphasizing that these championships are not merely sporting competitions but key drivers of tourism and economic development. He highlighted that Soma Bay and the Red Sea’s exceptional natural beauty, combined with the renowned hospitality of its people, position the region as a leading destination for global sports tourism. The governor reaffirmed the governorate’s commitment to supporting the sports sector and attracting more of international events, in line with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and its broader development goals.