CAIRO — This is no longer just about making splashes in the water. It is about building a serious contender capable of challenging other nations’ rowers.
Previously, rowing in Egypt was regarded as a developing sport. Today, it looks much better prepared, aimed, and supported by strategic planning—a transformation that signals growing confidence and ambition.
Over the past year and a half, Egyptian rowers have managed to collect almost 90 medals on the continental and world stages. More importantly, the sport has become consistent enough to prove that the nation is rising in the sports world.
The main core about this progress is its beach rowing, which has become most effective platform for gaining international recognition.
Beyond the medal
The Egyptian rowers do not rest on their laurels. Next October, the city of New Alamein will make even greater strides in establishing itself as a hub for regional sports.
It will host continental competitions, including beach rowing and rowing contests in which African and Arab competitors will compete.
Worldwide progress
Lately, athletes have really stepped up on the world stage. Omar Sharif snagged a bronze at the World Championships in Italy, putting Egypt’s rowing talent in the spotlight.
It was followed by Ali Alaa and Ayat Ahmed getting a silver at the championship in Turkey in 2025.
In addition, 2026 became a historical year for Egypt, when its rower Hoda Fahmy won bronze in the women’s lightweight single sculls at the Italian International Classic Rowing Championships.
“These results are the outcome of long-term institutional work,” Sherif El-Komaty, President of the Egyptian and Arab Rowing Federations, told The Egyptian Gazette. “But they are only the beginning of what we aim to achieve.”
Alamein championships
Ambitions do not stop at winning medals. The African and Arab Beach Rowing Championships will be held in the Egyptian city of New Alamein next October, a major tournament expected to feature teams from Africa and the Arab region.
As per El-Komaty, hosting such events proves the firmness of belief in the organisation capabilities of Egypt. In addition, he argued that this is just a step of the bigger plan where high-class sport meets the tourism industry.
New Alamein has already demonstrated itself as an active sports destination.
The coastal resort city of New Alamein has already hosted African championships in rowing and beach sports over the past couple of years—the 2024 African Rowing Beach Sprint Championships as well as the 16th African Rowing Championships in Porto Marina in November 2024.
Looking ahead, there are plans to ensure that upcoming competitions become part of the qualifying process towards the 2028 Olympic Games held in Los Angeles. Simultaneously, the federation seeks to hold an international beach rowing competition every year in Egypt.
Competitive edge
Beach rowing is a promising sport for Egypt. It is connected with speed and high-intensity races which prove to be comfortable for training Egyptian athletes.
Results speak for themselves.
At the Filippi Lido Trophy in Italy last month, the Egyptian team claimed two gold medals. One gold belongs to Rimas Osama who won in the under-19 race, another one is the result of teamwork between Youssef Salama and Alia Ali in the mixed double sculls.
Youssef Salama also took bronze in junior single sculls, showing the consistency of results.
Earlier in Palermo, at the end of last month, there were more promising achievements. In the junior single sculls—an event which could be linked to qualification for 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games—Salama took bronze. Moreover, in mixed double sculls, the Egyptian team took fourth place.
In another qualifying event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Omar El-Qamaty took fifth place in the single sculls, while Reemas Osama was sixth in the junior category.
Global arena
The success of Egypt was once again confirmed at the World Beach Rowing Championships in Antalya, Ali Hassan and Ayat Ibrahim won a silver in the mixed double sculls against the British duo. Both crews ended up with the same time—2:38.49—which made the result even more intense.
Out of a total of 661 athletes from 55 nations, this is indicative of Egypt’s mounting profile as a developing powerhouse in the sport.
“The federation aims for even more successes,” said El-Komaty, who added that the road goes through the African and Arab championships, the Mediterranean Games, the 2026 Dakar Games, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
African dominance
Besides the successes in the global arena, Egypt’s oarsmen demonstrate the highest results at the continental level.
At the recent African Championships held in South Africa, the team won 14 medals (including 8 gold ones), in addition, they secured 17 medals in the classic events. Results from all the categories prove a solid preparation of athletes.
Egyptians were crowned in the under-23 singles through Omar Hossam El-Din. While, the tandem Ziad Salama and Ziad Farag got a gold medal.
Also, a men’s four group led by Abdel-Khaleq El-Banna secured a gold medal in a very tough race in the championships.
Looking ahead
These achievements are not accidental; they reflect a clearly defined strategy that has been carefully designed and implemented.
The Egyptian Rowing Federation is all about preparing its athletes for what’s next, like the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games and the 2028 Olympics.
They mix cutting-edge training with the experience of veteran rowers, while also nurturing young talent.
One can already see this trend in the performances of Youssef Salama and Rimas Osama, who became the leading figures of Egyptian rowing programme.
Rowing rise
Egyptian rowing is not only about achievements anymore. This sport proves to be a serious competitor which is constantly growing stronger and moving forward.
Every competition, each race, each medal—this all accumulates into a positive image of the sport.
By such a path, Egypt is not just striving for an Olympic platform but is moving closer to achieving it.
