Khartoum, August 9, 2026 (SUNA) – Undersecretary of the Ministry of National Education Dr. Ahmed Khalifa Omar said the participation of Sudanese states in the fourth edition of the African School Championship sends strong messages and clear indications of Khartoum’s recovery and the return of life and school activities to the capital. Addressing the opening ceremony of the championship on Sunday at the Al-Usra (Family) Club in Khartoum, the Undersecretary saluted the Sudanese Armed Forces and all the supporting forces, which are fighting the Battle of Dignity and have achieved victories. He affirmed that the Ministry was dedicating the championship to the Armed Forces and to the country’s leadership in the Transitional Sovereignty Council (TSC) and the Council of Ministers. He said the Ministry of National Education attaches great importance to extracurricular school activities as an integral part of the educational process and no less important than academic achievement. He noted that the Ministry plays a fundamental role in preparing leaders, scientists, and qualified professionals who will contribute to the country’s state institutions. Dr. Ahmed explained that the Ministry’s programs and activities extend to every Sudanese home and family, stressing the importance of expanding the scope of school activities to help discover students’ talents, develop their abilities, and build their personalities. The Family Club in Khartoum on Sunday hosted the opening of the fourth edition of the African School Championship, with the participation of male and female students from schools in several Sudanese states, in the 11–14 age category. The championship is organized by the General Directorate of School Activities at the Ministry of National Education, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Kamil Idris and the supervision of Minister of National Education Dr. Al-Tohami Al-Zain Hajar. The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of National Education Dr. Al-Tohami Al-Zain Hajar, Minister of Youth and Sports, Khartoum State Wali Ahmed Othman Hamza, Undersecretary of the Ministry of National Education Dr. Ahmed Khalifa Omar, Khartoum State Minister of Education Dr. Abdel Latif Shaker, Director General of the Ministry’s General Directorate of School Activities Abdel Jalil Saleh, Director of School Activities in Khartoum State, a number of education ministers from the participating states, and officials from Khartoum State. For his part, Director General of the Ministry’s General Directorate of School Activities Abdel Jalil Saleh described the opening of the championship as a “day of joy that history will record,” affirming that the presence of students and sports delegations in Khartoum represents an indication of the capital’s recovery and the return of school activities. Saleh stressed that school activities are an integral part of the educational process. He commended the role of the African Union in organizing the championship and announced preparations to organize a school championship for the under-17 age category, aimed at discovering talents and preparing young people who can contribute to serving society. He pointed out that school activities are not limited to football but encompass various sporting, cultural, and artistic fields, as well as digital competitions. He emphasized their role in discovering and developing students’ talents and praised the entities that contributed to the success of the championship. The opening ceremony began with a parade featuring the participating students, followed by the national anthem. Female students from Al-Atta School in Omdurman then performed a choral presentation, followed by a cadet display, while male and female students presented a gymnastics performance.BH/BH