President Abdel Fattah El Sisi attended on Saturday 1/7/2017 at Cairo Stadium the opening ceremony of the U19 Basketball World Cup, which will run until July 9.

Sisi was given a rapturous welcome upon his arrival at the Cairo Stadium Indoor Halls Complex.

Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, Sports Minister Khaled Abdel Aziz and a number of senior officials were present at the ceremony.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the head of the Egyptian Federation of Basketball Magdy Abu Freikha welcomed president Sisi, the prime minister and members of the sports missions of the participating countries.

He thanked the president for supporting the tournament and hosting it "on the land of peace and love."

"The championship is a chance to spread peace among the world’s youth", he said.

President Sisi, for his part, thanked the participating countries, welcoming them to Egypt.

Following the ceremony, Egypt and Puerto Rico started the inaugural game of the championship.

MENA