Community Shelters Supply Sports Venues for Cairo Youth Under New Project

The Sports for All project began operations in late 2024 by placing structured sports sessions inside community shelters and centers in Cairo, Giza and Qalyubia.

Many young residents in these governorates have few safe places for regular physical activity, and the program treats those existing shelters as the main infrastructure for weekly sessions. The approach avoids building new facilities and instead equips shelters already serving vulnerable families with equipment and coaching.

Local venues already in use

Coaches and organizers work directly with shelter staff to schedule sessions that fit around school hours and family routines. Girls and participants with disabilities receive priority enrollment so that the activities reach groups that have historically faced barriers to organized sport in Cairo. Sessions run in the same rooms and outdoor yards that shelters use for other daily programs, turning ordinary spaces into regular training sites.

Documented gains from the activities

Project records list several changes observed among participants, including better physical health, lower stress levels, stronger self-confidence and improved school performance. The same sessions also correlate with reduced smoking and substance experimentation plus lower involvement in local disputes. These outcomes match the project’s alignment with four global targets on health, gender balance, inequality reduction and cross-sector partnerships. Girls who take part show visible acceptance of their presence in the activities, which shelter staff say helps shift community views on female participation.

Further rounds of sessions are already scheduled inside the same Cairo, Giza and Qalyubia shelters for the coming months. Families interested in enrolling children can contact the centers directly or visit etijah.org/project/sports-for-all/ for current timetables and registration steps.