STORY: Egyptians immerse in winter sports in World Snow Day celebrations
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 20, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 23, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:29
LOCATION: Cairo
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the indoor ski resort and activities there
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MAGID ABDEL-MENIM, Event's organizer
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): ALI KORYAYA, Visitor
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): TAMER BAGATO, Former Egyptian footballer

STORYLINE:

Despite being a country without snowfall during winter, Egypt celebrated the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) World Snow Day to spread the culture of snow sports among its people.
   
The event is held at Ski Egypt, an indoor ski resort in Giza Governorate near the capital, Cairo, featuring a series of snow activities.
   
During the event, which kicked off on January 18 and will last for several days, the park will host snow sports events, such as free snow obstacle challenges and free ski and snowboard freestyle night for athletes, as well as family-friendly activities with free snow park access.

In addition, the resort offered snowman building and snow sculpting, sledding, zorbing, team-building activities, clown shows, and educational talks and presentations.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): MAGID ABDEL-MENIM, Event's organizer
"We offer many recreational and sports activities, such as snowboarding and skiing for beginners and professionals, fun games and craft workshops for children, and a competition to build the best snowman."

According to Abdel-Menim, over the last seven years, Ski Egypt has established itself as one of Africa's most popular family destinations, noting that it was recently placed third in the World's Best Indoor Ski Resort category at the prestigious World Ski Awards.

With 7,000 tons of snow spread across the 22,000-square-meter snow park, visitors can enjoy unique experiences at the largest indoor snow park in the region.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): ALI KORYAYA, Visitor
"I love these competitions because they offer prizes. I enjoy these snow events with my friends."

Tamer Bagato, a former Egyptian footballer, noted that it is a good chance for Egyptians to know more about snow sports since most of them have never seen snow before.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): TAMER BAGATO, Former Egyptian footballer
"I am happy about the participation of adults, especially youth, and children, and their good snow skiing levels. I hope Egypt will hold more tournaments to spread awareness about snow sports."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Cairo.
(XHTV)