Arab Finance: Orascom Real Estate has opened the 17-feddan first phase of O West Sports Club in 6th of October City, with work underway on a second phase covering another 9 feddans, as per an emailed press release.

Minister of Youth and Sports Gohar Nabil attended the inauguration alongside government officials, sports leaders, executives from Orascom Development and Orascom Real Estate, and representatives of club operator Blue Ribbon.

The first phase includes eight squash courts, five padel courts, two basketball courts, a running track, and an outdoor fitness area. Swimming facilities comprise an Olympic-sized pool, two 25-meter pools, one indoor and one outdoor, and a children’s pool. The club also has five-a-side and 11-a-side football pitches.

Children’s training is centered on TRAX, a 2,569-square-meter building offering programs that develop movement and sporting skills from age three. Children are introduced to several sports before choosing a specialty.

The next phase will add seven buildings with a combined built-up area of 6,139 square meters. Plans include a recreational swimming pool, tennis, Padbol and pickleball courts, and a sports complex.

“The inauguration of Phase 1 of O West Sports Club marks a major milestone in the town’s development. Spanning 26 feddans across 2 phases, with investments totalling billions of Egyptian pounds, the club reflects our commitment to developing facilities that enhance quality of life. From the outset of O West’s development, sport has been a pillar of our vision, alongside housing, education and services that meet residents’ everyday needs,” Chairman of Orascom Development Egypt, Eskandar Tooma, said.

With the first facilities now open, Tooma also outlined his expectations for the club’s operation: “Our ambition is for the club to become part of everyday life for residents and their families, giving them opportunities to practise sport, develop their skills and spend time together. With Blue Ribbon operating the club, we look forward to delivering an experience that supports an active lifestyle and evolves with the community’s needs over the long term,” added Dr. Eskandar Tooma.

Blue Ribbon delivers programs for different ages and abilities, as well as coach development through its Blue Ribbon College program. Explaining the operator’s approach to its role at O West, CEO Moataz El-Etreby said: “Our partnership with O West represents a new model for integrating urban development and quality of life. Drawing on our expertise in managing and operating sports facilities, we are building an experience that continually evolves with the community’s needs. We look forward to helping establish a more advanced approach to sports management in Egypt, placing quality, sustainability and the development of sports professionals at the heart of the experience.”

At the inauguration, Nabil addressed the role of sports facilities in residential communities, highlighting their contribution to physical activity and family recreation. “At the Ministry of Youth and Sports, we are dedicated to driving investment in the sports sector and cultivating strategic public-private partnerships to deliver integrated athletic and social infrastructure. These initiatives are essential to promoting healthy, active lifestyles and broadening sports participation across all segments of society,” Nabil stated.

He also emphasized the importance of identifying sporting ability early and combining accessible training facilities with mentorship. “Our goal is for these modern athletic clubs to act as incubators for young talent, providing youth with the platform and opportunities needed to maximize their potential. By laying this groundwork, we are building a strong pipeline of world-class athletes to represent Egypt internationally,” he added.

O West covers 1,000 feddans, equivalent to 4.2 million square meters, near Juhayna Square, Mall of Egypt, and the Grand Egyptian Museum. The development combines residential, educational, medical, and commercial areas with a business district and spaces for community events. Its master plan incorporates green spaces, an integrated transport system, a smart road network, and security infrastructure.