Arab Finance: Al Baraka Bank Egypt, in collaboration with Al Assem Foundation for Comprehensive Development, has launched Al Baraka Bank Goalball Championship for blind and visually impaired athletes, held at the Sports City in the New Capital.
The championship marks the beginning of an annual initiative aimed at empowering people with disabilities, showcasing their athletic potential, and expanding their access to financial and banking services, in line with the Central Bank of Egypt's vision and the country's efforts to promote financial inclusion and sustainable community development.
The championship builds on the success of previous joint initiatives between Al Baraka Bank and Al Assem Foundation to support people with disabilities through sports activities, reflecting the Bank's belief that financial inclusion extends beyond providing banking services to creating meaningful opportunities for economic and social participation, ultimately enhancing quality of life and fostering greater integration into society.
The tournament's opening ceremony was attended by representatives from a number of entities supporting financial inclusion and the empowerment of persons with disabilities, among them the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Egyptian Federation for Disability Sports, and partner civil society organizations.
The inaugural edition brought together eight teams of blind and visually impaired athletes, with four teams qualifying for the final championship, which will take place in December alongside the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebration under the patronage of the Central Bank of Egypt, underscoring the Bank's commitment to sustaining the initiative and maximizing its social impact.
In addition to the championship matches, the event featured talent performances by participants with disabilities and concluded with an awards ceremony honoring the four qualifying teams and presenting prizes and commemorative gifts to the players and guests.
The Bank also opened bank accounts for all participating athletes and rewarded each participant with a cash incentive in the form of cashback, reflecting its commitment to encouraging greater use of formal financial services and supporting participants' integration into the banking system.
Mohamed Safeena, Head of Financial Inclusion at Al Baraka Bank Egypt, said: "We firmly believe in providing equal opportunities for all members of society, as empowering people with disabilities is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. Al Baraka Bank Goalball Championship is more than just a sporting event. It is a platform to highlight talent and capabilities, and a message affirming that everyone has the right to participate, succeed, and benefit from financial services without exception. We also aspire to build impactful partnerships with civil society organizations to maximize our positive social impact and create sustainable value for the communities we serve."
Al Baraka Bank Egypt continues to implement a comprehensive corporate social responsibility strategy focused on investing in people, advancing financial inclusion, and supporting vulnerable segments of society, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt Vision 2030. Through such initiatives, the Bank reaffirms its commitment to promoting inclusive development and expanding access to opportunities and financial services for all.
