Sudanese Explorer Seeks to Have Walking Recognized as an Official Sport in Sudan
08 November, 2026
Khartoum – Sudanow – Sudanese explorer Shams Al-Din Abdel Halim Al-Bashir is preparing to embark on a journey to Qatar, carrying a national and humanitarian message aimed at raising awareness of Sudan’s issues, particularly the plight of women and children affected by the war.
The journey will be undertaken under the slogan: “For the Women and Children of Sudan Affected by War, and in Support of the Sudanese Armed Forces in the Battle of Dignity.”
The initiative is part of broader efforts to use sports and exploration to serve social causes, foster communication between peoples, and bring communities closer together. It also seeks to promote a culture of walking, exploration and travel, while documenting the customs and traditions of different regions around the world. During his visit, Al-Bashir plans to tour several Qatari cities to convey Sudan’s humanitarian and national message.
According to journalist Gad Al-Karim Ahmed Khalid, who documents the explorer’s journeys, Qatar was selected because of its strong commitment to sports and substantial investment in sporting activities, a commitment witnessed internationally. The visit is intended to mark the beginning of Al-Bashir’s international journeys, allowing him to explore different Qatari cities, share aspects of Sudanese culture, and learn about Qatari traditions. The findings will subsequently be presented to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for consideration in developing and promoting this sporting activity.
Al-Karim outlined the journeys Al-Bashir has undertaken across Sudan and the events associated with them. He explained that Al-Bashir began pursuing walking as a form of exploration in 2013, when he completed his first journey from Khartoum to Port Sudan in 13 days, following a route through Atbara and Haya. The journey aimed to promote cleanliness in Khartoum, drawing inspiration from Port Sudan’s experience during the tenure of former Red Sea State Governor Mohamed Tahir Eila.
In 2014, he undertook another journey from Khartoum through Wad Madani, Al-Faw and Al-Qadarif, ending in Kassala. This expedition coincided with the harvest season. Other journeys included a route from Wad Madani through Sennar, Sennja and Al-Damazin, as well as another from Khartoum through Al-Qatina, Al-Duweim, Kosti, Tendelti and Umm Rawaba, ending in El Obeid. The latter was associated with the School Sports Festival. All these journeys, Al-Karim noted, were undertaken with the approval of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports.
He explained that Al-Bashir’s objectives are primarily cultural and exploratory. They include studying Sudan’s geographical regions and diverse environments, observing their topography, climate, vegetation and wildlife across the states he visits.
Through these journeys, Al-Bashir has also sought to transfer cultural knowledge and heritage from one environment and region to another, highlighting Sudan’s rich diversity. At the conclusion of each journey, he would share detailed accounts of his experiences, including scientific and geographical observations.
Another important objective, according to Al-Karim, is to introduce younger generations to the culture of exploration and long-distance walking as a sporting activity, encouraging them to travel between towns and regions while gaining educational and practical experience. Al-Bashir generally follows routes alongside the country's main paved highways.
The explorer has participated in numerous sporting and social events, including activities for children and youth at Friendship Hall. Most recently, he rang the school bell to mark the beginning of the current academic year at a school in the Al-Sajana neighbourhood of Khartoum. He is now preparing for his first international expedition to neighbouring Qatar.
Al-Karim also revealed plans to establish an academic body for young people, led by Al-Bashir, to promote walking, long-distance trekking and exploration. The initiative will draw on accumulated experience and practical knowledge, particularly following the Qatar expedition, which will be his first journey outside Sudan.
The experience is expected to be documented in a booklet or report containing practical insights and lessons to encourage young people to take up this form of sporting activity. The organisers are also working towards having walking officially recognised as a sport in Sudan and brought under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, alongside other recognised sporting disciplines.
It is worth noting that Shams Al-Din Abdel Halim Al-Bashir is 75 years old and resides in the Al-Hilla Al-Jadida neighbourhood of Khartoum. He developed an early interest in sports and played for several football clubs, including Al-Salam of Al-Kalakla Al-Qalaa in the 1970s, Al-Abbasiya in Omdurman, Al-Thuraya in Bahri, and Hilal Al-Qadarif.
He also participated in several long-distance races, including the Khartoum–Jebel Aulia and Khartoum–Al-Jaili races during the era of former President Jaafar Nimeiri, as well as a cross-country race organised by the Ortchi Health Centre at Al-Rabia Square in Omdurman.
During his youth, Al-Bashir met some of Sudan’s prominent explorers who preceded him, including Mohamed Abdel Salam from Al-Duweim and Khalid Ashriya from Wad Madani. The knowledge and experience he gained from these pioneers at an early age helped shape his ambitions and set him on the path of exploration that he continues to pursue today.
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Khartoum – Sudanow – Sudanese explorer Shams Al-Din Abdel Halim Al-Bashir is preparing to embark on a journey to Qatar, carrying a national and humanitarian message aimed at raising awareness of Sudan’s issues, particularly the plight of women and children affected by the war. The journey will be undertaken under the slogan: “For the Women and Children of...
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