A delegation from the Olympic Committee of Egypt led by President General Mahmoud Ali paid an official visit to the Maltese Olympic Committee during which Egypt and the city of Alexandria presented officially the bid for the organisation of the Mediterranean Games for 2017.

Under the slogan “Culture of Sports,” Alexandria’s bid is to boost sports infrastructure development and tourism in the city as it did for the FIFA Youth World Cup in 2010. Technical details were given by Eng.Sherif Amin, managing Director of Alexandria 2017 Bidding Committee and by Dr.Tarek El Gendu member of the same Committee.

For these Games, Alexandria is ready to build an athletes village in Borg Al-Arab together with the upgrading and building of over 28 suggested venues hosting more than 31 competitions, Alexandria’s bid focuses on the historical and cultural significance as well as the blend between the old - Downtown Alexandria - and the new - Borg Al-Arab. Both would equally host events and athletes.

A subway between Borg Al-Arab and Alexandria will be constructed to facilitate transportation during the tournament.

Also forming part of the delegation was Dr Hassan Mostafa, President of the International Handball Federation who prior to the meeting with the Maltese Olympic Committee met Louis Borg, President of the Malta Handball Association.

MOC president Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, on addressing the NOC Egypt officials, stressed on the values and ideals which have always been a leading factor in the development of sport and cultures within the Mediterranean basin.

The MOC President thanked General Mahmoud Ali and Dr Hassan Mostafa for paying such an official visit to the Maltese Olympic Committee where both Olympic committees extended their reciprocal support for the development of sport in both countries.

Present for the meeting were H.E Dr Mourad Youssry Ambassador for Egypt in Malta as well as Joseph Cassar, Secretary General of the Maltese Olympic Committee, Charles Camenzuli, Director of Media of the MOC and HE Anthony DeBono, Director of the MOC.

Alexandria was the first city to host the Mediterranean Games in 1951, after Egyptian Mohamed Taher Pasha came up with the idea of the tournament in 1948.