Egyptian rowing heads to Amsterdam with ambitions that extend well beyond the World Rowing Championships. For some, it is a chance to test themselves against the world’s best; for others, it is another step towards the bigger target of Los Angeles 2028.
The Egyptian delegation departed Cairo on August 21 for the championships, which run from August 24 to 30, with the team’s competitive hopes led by national team rower Mohamed Alaa Qouta and para-rower Malak Abdel Rahman Ghanem.
Qouta chases glory
Qouta will race in the men’s single sculls, lining up against 17 rowers from around the world.
For the Egyptian, Amsterdam is another step towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games following his experience at Paris 2024 in the double sculls.
He has already gained plenty of experience this season. Training in Austria, Qouta won the single sculls at the Croatian Open and finished fourth in the heavyweight single sculls at the Bled Open in Slovenia. He then took part in the third World Cup stage in Switzerland.
Amsterdam will give him another chance to test himself against some of the world’s best rowers. He will also take part in the Mediterranean Games, in Italy this month. Then he will head to Tunisia for the African Championships scheduled for September 29 to 30.
Malak raises the bar
For Malak Abdel Rahman Ghanem, Amsterdam represents a landmark moment: her first appearance at a World Championships, competing in the women’s Para-Rowing 1 single sculls.
Her journey began in the swimming pool at just four years old. She later took up competitive swimming, winning 14 gold and four silver medals at local and Arab level. she then won two silver medals at the 2026 French International Para Rowing Championships.
Strength in experience
Guiding Egypt’s Para rowing effort is Saher Refaat, whose coaching career stretches across more than 25 years.
His methods blend scientific training and performance analysis, backed by international qualifications in load planning and nutrition.
Egypt’s presence in Amsterdam will also extend beyond the water, with Walid Mahmoud Abdel Moneim, head of the Egyptian Rowing Federation’s Protocols and Partnerships Committee, serving on the championships’ volunteer committee.
Road to Los Angeles
For Egyptian rowing, Amsterdam is more than another stop on the racing calendar. It is a measure of progress and another marker on the road towards Los Angeles 2028.
The race may end at the finish line. For Egypt’s rowers, the bigger journey is only gathering pace.
