El Gouna, the premium coastal town developed by Orascom Development in Egypt and one of the Middle East’s most prominent Red Sea destinations, hosted the third edition of the IGFA Red Sea Championship from February 4 to 7, under the supervision of the Egyptian Game Fishing Federation (EGAF) and the Ministries of Youth & Sports and Environment, Invest-Gate reports.
Attendance of International and Local Sports Officials
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Jason Schratwieser, IGFA President Engineer Mohamed Kaddah the President of the Egyptian Fishing Federation, Ahmed Mitkees, CEO and Founder of Ethical Anglers.
El Gouna as a Global Destination for Marine Sports
The championship aligns with El Gouna’s strategy to position itself as a regional and international hub for marine sports. Supported by its exceptional coastline, advanced infrastructure, and strong organizational expertise, El Gouna continues to reinforce its status as a global destination for internationally recognized marine sporting events.
International Team Participation
This year’s edition brought together 16 teams from ten countries including Egypt, USA, Italy, Jordan, Oman, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, Greece, and Armenia, the championship is organized under the supervision of Ethical Anglers, the organization specialized in hosting fishing tournaments in the Red Sea, in cooperation with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).
Bimini Fishing Team’s Achievement
El Gouna is represented by its fishing team, Bimini, which claimed the championship title last year and secured second place in this year’s third edition, an achievement that reflects the team’s continued competitive excellence. Teams competed for qualification to the 2027 Fishing World Cup in Costa Rica, while El Gouna has also been selected as the host city for the Big Game Championship in 2028.
Statements by El Gouna CEO
Mohamed Amer, CEO of El Gouna and Executive Board Member at Orascom Development Egypt, stated: ” We are extremely proud that El Gouna is hosting the IGFA Championship for the third consecutive year positions El Gouna as a leading destination on the global marine sports map. El Gouna, as a fully integrated town, comes alive as a stage for world-class events, where every corner, from its marinas to its infrastructure, is designed to support major international competitions.
He added: This championship goes beyond a sporting contest, it is a platform to advance marine tourism, champion sustainability, and safeguard the Red Sea, further cementing El Gouna’s role as a living model where sport, environmental stewardship, and global engagement converge.”
Tournament Program and Its Historical Significance
The IGFA Red Sea International Fishing Championship took place over four days. Its program included the captains’ meeting, three days of competition, and concluded today with the awards ceremony at Abu Tig Marina. The championship marked a historic milestone for professional sport fishing in Egypt and provides an important platform to reinforce El Gouna’s position as a global hub for elite marine sports.
Strengthening El Gouna’s Position as an International Sports Hub
It’s worth noting that the IGFA Red Sea International Fishing Championship strengthens El Gouna’s status as a regional and international hub for marine sports, supported by its exceptional coastline, advanced infrastructure, and proven organizational expertise. By hosting globally recognized events, El Gouna continues to solidify its position as a world-class destination for international marine sports championships and events.