Compiled by Tamer Mohamed
During President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s era, Egypt has seen an unprecedented boom in sports. Athletes have provided a much-needed escapism in another year of Covid-19. Before we turn the calendar to 2022, let’s have a look at a few of the old year’s triumphs.
World Handball Championship
Egypt earned acclaim from most of the teams who took part in the 27th Men’s Handball World Championship after hosting a successful, tournament despite the second wave of the pandemic.
For the first time in the history of the tournament, Egypt hosted the championship from January 13-31 with 32 teams participating.
The Pharaohs came seventh for their best position since their fourth-place finish in 2001 while Denmark, who ousted the Pharaohs 39-38 in the quarters following a penalty shootout, were crowned world champions for a second time in a row after defeating Sweden 26-24 in the final.
The Covid-19 Medical Precaution Plan was in force during the event, which entailed a ‘full bubble concept’ with hotels reserved for participants, who praised Egypt’s efforts in hosting the tournament against the odds.
“We made it,” said International Handball Federation (IHF) President Hassan Moustafa at the closing ceremony at the Cairo Stadium Complex.
“We played a successful symphony and in the name of the IHF. I would like to express my special gratitude to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi for following up the organisation of this event and the implementation of the Covid-19 Medical Precaution Plan.
Al-Ahly bags Club World Cup bronze
Egyptian giants Al-Ahly won the bronze medal in the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 in Qatar last February.
Goalkeeper Mohamed el-Shenaway saved two penalties in the shoot-out as Al-Ahly edged Brazilian Palmeiras 3-2 to finish in third place after 90 minutes in a goalless draw.
Al-Ahly is the only club in the world to win the bronze medal and come third place for the second time in the Club World Cup and the first African and Arab club to reach the semi-finals three times.
Al-Ahly tenth CAF Champions League title
Al-Ahly sealed their 10th African Champions League title when they beat 10-man Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa 3-0 in the 2020-21 CAF Champions League final last July in Casablanca.
The Cairo club has now won double the number of Champions League titles than the next most successful club — arch-rivals Zamalek.
Two medals for ISSF World Cup Shotgun
The Egyptian shooting team delighted home fans by claiming two medals at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup Shotgun held at the Egyptian Shooting Club on February 22.
Egyptian duo Ahmed Zaher and Magi el-Ashmawy won the silver medal after losing the final against the Russian team.
Also, the Egyptian team, consisting of the trio of Ahmed Zaher, Ahmed Qamar and Abdel Aziz Mahilba, won the bronze medal after defeating the Slovenian team.
About 200 competitors representing 33 nations took part in the competition, the first World Cup in Cairo since 2009.
President of the Organising Committee Hazem Hosny said: “This World Cup is historic because it is the first World Cup after a year. The number of participants was huge; we had 30 countries here and the competitors are very happy. We had big support from the Egyptian government, as well as of the ISSF leadership and the media team, so it was very successful.”
For the first time, a new extended programme consisting of ten events was on show at the Shotgun World Cup. It included four team events, in which competitors from six countries won awards on the podium in Cairo.
Three taekwondo medals at Sofia Open
Egyptian taekwondo players claimed three medals in the Sofia Open Championship in Bulgaria in March.
Taekwondo fighter Nour Hussein won the gold medal in the women’s 49kg category after beating Suheda Celik 10-4.
Nour compatriots Saif Issa and Abdul Rahman Wael clinched the silver and bronze medals.
At the Turkish Open Championship, taekwondo female player Hedaya Malak claimed the bronze medal in the 67kg category.
Gold fencing medal at Junior World Championship
The Egyptian fencing team won the 2021 World Fencing Championship for the first time in junior team men’s sabre after a thrilling gold medal match against Russia.
The national youth team was represented by Mazen Al-Arabi, Iyad Maarouf, Adham Moataz, and Ziad Nofal, who were able to beat the Russian team at the finals with a score of (45-38), getting crowned as champions earning the gold medals at the men’s junior team titles.
Egypt hosted the global event from April 3-11.
In the final, the Pharaohs defeated the Russians by 45-38.
In the men’s event, fifth seed Egypt defeated 12th seeds Hong Kong 45-32 in the last 16, and made the final four after a 45-37 quarter-final win over fourth seed of Poland.
Egypt then beat the United States 45-31 to make the final.
Salah wins 2021 Golden Foot Award
Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah won the Golden Foot award, during the ceremony held in the French Emirate of Monaco on November 29.
Salah had his wife receive the award on his behalf from Brazilian star Dani Alves, Barcelona’s right-back.
Salah, 29, took the Golden Foot award for the this year, outperforming several prominent stars in Europe, led by Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero, his compatriot Lionel Messi, and Poland’s Robert Lewandowski.
Ten players were nominated by a panel of international journalists for the Golden Foot, for which the player must be over 28 years old.
Salah became the first Arab player to win the award, as well as the third African player after Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba.
In statements reported by Sky Sports, Salah said: “It is wonderful to win the Golden Foot award, especially since those who won it before are the legends of the game.”
Salah, also, has been voted the Football Supporters Association Men’s Player of the Year.
The Liverpool forward has claimed the accolade for a second time, having also been awarded it in 2018. He becomes the first player in the history of the award to win it more than once.
Salah was voted for by football fans of all clubs to beat Mason Mount, Michail Antonio, Phil Foden, Ruben Dias and Youri Tielemans to the prize.
The Egyptian has started 2021-22 in remarkable fashion, with 17 goals in 18 appearances so far.
The 29-year-old came in seventh place in Ballon d’Or 2021, one behind Cristiano Ronaldo, with Lionel Messi scooping his seventh title.
The Egyptian international is the top scorer in the English Premier League this season, 2021-2022, and runner-up in the scorers’ ranking last season after Harry Kane, with a single goal difference.
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