SME – Written by: Muhammad Al-Joker
Emirati and Egyptian sports have a distinct relationship throughout history, not only through mutual visits, but there are now resonant names in Egyptian sports who began their sports career through their presence working or playing with Emirati clubs, for example Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports. He was executive director of the Baniyas Club, and many others, and what happened yesterday in Cairo made me remember the immortal days at the Zamalek Club, after Hussein Labib won the presidency of the club, bringing stability back after a period of instability.
“Labib” won the presidency for a new four-year electoral cycle, succeeding Mortada Mansour with his electoral list with all the seats in the council. He previously assumed the presidency of Zamalek in a temporary committee in 2021, and achieved some successes, and here we mention him when he was a player with the handball team at Al Ain Club at the beginning. The 1970s, before the player Hassan Saqr joined him, who played with Al Ain for three seasons starting in 1977, and participated in the team winning the bronze medal in the Arab Club Championship in Tunisia. Years ago, he was president of the Egyptian Supreme Council for Youth and Sports in 2004, and I was head of the media delegation to the Olympic Committee. The National team in the Arab tournament in Cairo sat and remembered his beautiful days with Al Ain Club. This group of non-citizen players in the past had intellectual and mental levels suitable for all times. In the past, foreign players had a high level of morals and a distinguished technical level. We remember them to this day, unlike the foreign player today who has the traditions. The West, which has no beginning or end, what we see today is surprising and makes you feel sad. How can these people be good role models for young players?! This is the responsibility of some administrations, which are not performing their role fully. Their only concern is winning and achieving football championships. This is surprising because of this thinking. Can you believe that the martyred games “died” because half the number of foreign players participated in them, and our players remain merely “Extras”, then you demand the results. We used to achieve honorable results in team games, and today they have begun to disappear, and the blessing is in our narrow thinking, as the foreigner takes the opportunity. Did we think and evaluate the experience after years of their control within the ranks of their teams and their influence at the national team level is something that requires immediate intervention to save these forgotten sports!!
In conclusion, today’s article, we congratulate Zamalek for stability and the return of calm within its walls with Hussein Labib, one of the most famous handball players in the club’s history, becoming the fourth elected president in the third millennium. And the God of the intent behind
