By: Dr. Al-Zahraa Rashad 

As part of its ongoing efforts to develop students’ skills and expose them to the experiences of prominent media professionals, the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University hosted renowned sports critic Hassan El Mestekawy on Monday, May 5th, at the college’s conference hall. The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Thuraya El-Badawy, Dean of the Faculty; Prof. Dr. Hanaa Farouk, Vice Dean for Education and Student Affairs; Dr. Al-Zahraa Rashad, Lecturer in the Journalism Department and Advisor to the Sports Committee; and was organized under the supervision of the Youth Welfare Department led by Mr. Ayman Mounir, Director of the Department, along with Mr. Mohamed Atef (Youth Welfare Officer) and Mr. Sameh Raafat (Sports Specialist). The event also witnessed the presence of several faculty leaders and members, including Mr. Ezzat Ismail, Faculty Secretary; Mr. Badr from the Legal Affairs Department; and Dr. Areej Fakhr El-Din, Lecturer in the Radio and Television Department.

During the session, El Mestekawy addressed several pressing issues in sports journalism, including the importance of properly training media professionals in the field. He emphasized the need for comprehensive sports knowledge, commitment to on-the-ground coverage, reliance on diverse expert sources, and the ability to explore sports issues from new angles instead of repeating stale narratives.

He also stressed the importance of understanding essential sports documents such as the Olympic Charter and FIFA regulations, and the need for media professionals to differentiate between concepts like the World Cup and World Championship. El Mestekawy noted that specialization in a single sport such as fencing, weightlifting, or taekwondo could produce more distinguished journalists, but for those covering sports as a whole, rigorous study and deep reading are essential. He concluded by stating that sports have evolved into a full-fledged industry, with advanced systems in place to measure player performance scientifically—requiring journalists to constantly update their skills and knowledge.

Prof. Dr. Thuraya El-Badawy warmly welcomed El Mestekawy, recognizing him as a leading figure in Egyptian and Arab sports media. She emphasized the faculty’s commitment to hosting distinguished professionals from various fields to enrich student awareness and better prepare them for the job market. She also noted that the faculty has developed a specialized diploma in sports media—designed by Dr. Al-Zahraa Rashad—which is currently under approval, reflecting the faculty’s recognition of the importance of this discipline and the need for proper training.

Prof. Dr. Hanaa Farouk also thanked El Mestekawy for his presence and his insightful discussion on the vital role of thorough preparation for specialized media professionals. She echoed his call for extensive reading to build knowledge, highlighting that his work on writing sports media books involved hours of daily reading of documents and references to create useful resources for the public.

Dr. Al-Zahraa Rashad expressed her honor at sharing the stage with El Mestekawy, calling it the highest recognition in the field of sports journalism. She reiterated the significance of his remarks, particularly his view that sports media is a vital branch of communication that must remain connected to the society it reflects—otherwise, it cannot truly represent the realities of sports and its audiences.

The session concluded with an open discussion, allowing students to engage with El Mestekawy by asking questions on various topics, including organizing major sports tournaments like the national league. The speaker also raised important questions about the history of Egyptian and international sports clubs, noting that understanding such histories is essential for producing competent journalists. He praised the abundance of Egyptian talent across multiple sports, highlighting figures such as world squash champions, Olympic gold medalist Ahmed El-Gendy in modern pentathlon, and weightlifting champion Sara Samir.

The event ended with a formal tribute, as Prof. Dr. Thuraya El-Badawy presented Hassan El Mestekawy with the Faculty Shield and a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of his valuable contribution to this student-focused session.