The National Training Academy (NTA) has announced plans to offer wrestler Ahmed Fouad Baghdoda a grant for training.
The academy, an independent agencyfocused on preparing the next generation of Egyptian leaders, said it would also offer Baghdoda full care.
Describing Baghdoda as a ‘promisingsports talent‘, the NTA noted in a statement on its website that it was taking the move under directives by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.
Baghdoda came at the centre of national debates a few days ago after he escaped the Egyptian mission in Tunisia where it attended the African Championship.
He reportedly reappeared in Paris a few days later.
Officials at the Egyptian Embassy in Tunis said the young wrestler had travelled to France in the morning on Sunday.
The Egyptian Wrestling Federation (EWf)is scheduled to open an enquiry into the wrestler’s escape.
He was part of the National Project for Talent and Olympic Champions, which is supervised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Baghdoda participated in the 63kg category in the African Wrestling Championship. He came in second place in the championship, which was held between May 15 and 21, and won a silver medal.
EWF President Maj. Gen. Essam Nawarplayed down the importance of the player’s escape in Tunisia.
“Players’ actions, tournaments, and transfers from one country to another are governed by international law,” Nawartold a local television channel.
He cited similar escapes in other games.
“This is not limited to wrestling,” the EWF president said.
He added that he reported the man standing behind Baghdoda‘s escape to Egyptian regulatory authorities.
This man, he said, is based in France.
