To leverage on Cemex and VeryNile partnership, Cemex Egypt announced the launch of a new branch of Assiut Cement Football club academy – owned by Cemex - in Qursaya island.

The new collaborative project aims to provide an opportunity for the youth on the island to pursue their dreams & passion for practicing football while developing their skills and sports ethics in a professional & safe environment.

32 kids from the island will benefit during the initial phase of the football academy from advanced facilities, experienced coaches, and a comprehensive training program. The academy comes as part of VeryNile’s holistic program to develop the capabilities of Qursaya’s youth which also includes providing academic support and mentorship to ensure that the participants maintain their academic progress while pursuing their football dreams.

"We are very excited to launch this new branch of Assiut Cement Club Football Academy in partnership with VeryNile Initiative," said Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Assiut Cement Club & HR VP for Cemex Egypt & UAE, Eng. Wafik Beshara. "Our aim is to empower the youth of Qursaya Island and provide them with the tools they need to succeed both on and off the field. We believe that football has the power to bring people together and inspire change, and we are proud to be a part of this initiative."

Since signing their cooperation protocol last year, Cemex & VeryNile’s collaboration scope expanded to beyond collecting waste from the Nile and support the fishing community of Qursaya Island to extending VeryNile’s efforts to Assiut Governorate and now establishing a football academy for the island’s youth.

In addition to its efforts to clean the Nile River, the VeryNile Initiative has been focusing on providing education and sports opportunities to the underprivileged community in Qursaya. The partnership with Cemex & Assiut Cement Club aligns with the organization's mission to promote social and economic development through sports and education.

Alban de Ménonville, Managing Director of VeryNile commented on the launch saying, "We are very happy to partner with Assiut Cement Club on this project as part of our Kids of the Nile Program". He added: "We believe that sports, creative expression, environmental awareness and education are key to unlocking the potential of Egypt's youth, and this initiative is a testament to that. We remain committed to working together to create a brighter future for the communities we serve."

CEMEX continues to support its local communities through various partnerships that have both direct and indirect impact on the quality of life in the people. The company’s initiatives also serve its global strategy to preserve the environment and support its partners’ vision for a more sustainable future.