For or Against the Idea of Private Education in Sports (Private Faculties of Physical Education)

Written by Dr. Hamada Al-Antably

I will state my opinion on this matter as one of the sons and graduates of the Faculties of Physical Education. I personally am a strong supporter of the existence of private education in physical education, for several reasons:

The experiment has been applied in all other specializations, with private colleges and departments added across every other discipline, achieving dazzling success. There are over 26 private universities in Egypt comprising more than 162 faculties, with investments exceeding 3 billion pounds. Especially since the demographic targeted by these private colleges is completely different from the demographic targeted by public universities, the enrollment share of public faculties of physical education will not decrease.

Among the proofs of the feasibility and quality of private education is that many public universities have gone on to establish special (paid/distinctive) departments within their own faculties. So why shouldn’t there be private universities establishing unique entities capable of elevating the profession? Why don’t we have specialized colleges or departments bearing titles such as:

Sports Engineering

Sports Kinesiology

Sports Business

Sports Medicine

Sports Media

Sports Tourism

Sports Law

I personally dream of this day and believe that diversity in offerings creates a desire for excellence and a challenge for our public colleges to improve the quality of the product they deliver. The future of the sports industry in Egypt and the world requires a graduate who possesses all the tools of the modern era, and unfortunately, the vast majority of our current colleges do not possess this mindset or the capabilities that can bring about a qualitative leap in the specialization. The majority of colleges still operate with a 1950s mentality, and even their graduates remain stuck in that time period. Hence, we are in dire need of competition, and competition means either delivering quality or perishing.

This is my point of view on this matter. By expressing this opinion, I do not mean to offend the institution to which I belong. I am proud to be one of the sons and graduates of the Faculty of Physical Education for Boys at Alexandria University, where I studied under great professors who are held in high esteem, and to whom I owe my gratitude. In saying this, I am not ungrateful for their grace, but rather dreaming of a better tomorrow for our specialty that keeps pace with the future requirements of the sports industry. And God is the grantor of the path’s intent.

By Dr. Hamada Al-Antably