The International Taekwondo Federation will award Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi the highest-ranking belt in taekwondo, local media reported.
The award will not be in recognition of his skills in martial arts however, but rather in recognition of his efforts in supporting Egyptian youth.
El-Sisi will thus become the fifth official and the first Arab to ever receive the honorary belt, following Russian President Vladimir Putin, former U.S. President Barack Obama, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, as well as Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church, according to Ahram Sports.
African Taekwondo Union President and International Taekwondo Union Vice President Ahmed Al-Fouly announced the news during a press conference reported this week, saying that El-Sisi will receive the award during the World Taekwondo Cadet Championship, which is set to take place this August in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Al-Fouly added that El-Sisi will also be awarded the African belt, which is given to prominent officials and public figures who support young people.
During the conference, Mohamed Ali, president of the Egyptian taekwondo federation, stressed that the Federation is doing its best to host a successful championship in August, especially since it would boost tourism in Sharm El-Seikh.
El-Sisi is considered the first Egyptian president to show concern for Egyptian youth, as he was the first to organize a major conference dedicated to youth welfare.
People are dying to see El-Sisi in a taekwondo match
"My biggest wish right now is to see President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi in a taekwondo match."
Others are just disappointed
"I've been practicing taekwondo for 15 years and I still haven't reached the black belt. Meanwhile, El-Sisi is receiving it from the comfort of his home... Shame!"
Someone got a little creative ...
