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Category: SPORTS

Sport news about Greece, Egypt and Cyprus

  • 2016 a bright year for Egypt’s gymnasts

    2016 a bright year for Egypt’s gymnasts

    ΓενικάEgyptian female gymnasts have recently been making leaps and bounds in the competitive arena.

    This year, Sherine El-Zeiny won gold at the African Gymnastics Championships in the women’s individual all-around competitions. She is part of the national team.

    At the same tournament, the national girls’ gymnastics team won in the junior teams’ division. In the juniors’ individual all-around competitions, Farah Ahmed and Farah Said won gold and bronze, respectively.

    The 3rd International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament in Kalamata, Greece was another chance for Egyptian gymnasts to prove themselves this year.

    Under the leadership of coaches Sarah Ismail, Mayar Ragab, and Russian coach Aala, as well as ballet coach Hany Hassan, the Egyptian girls’ team won two silver medals in both junior divisions: individual all-around and teams.

    Farida Nadir, Tia Dia, Nermine Khaled, Malak El-Sherif, Salma Khaled and Yara Ihab make up the national girls’ team.

    Another Egyptian gymnast, Mariam Selim, placed fifth in the individual all-around division at the tournament.

    President of the Egyptian Gymnastics Federation Alaa Hamed and the head of its Technical Committee Noha Abdel Wehab showed their complete support and appreciation to the Egyptian gymnasts.

    (www.dailynewsegypt.com)

  • Egypt’s route to the African Cup can take them to the World Cup

    Egypt’s route to the African Cup can take them to the World Cup

    EgyptAs sporting images go, the sight of 40,000 fans packed into the 16,000 capacity Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna to watch Egypt take on Nigeria was spectacular. Terrifying, yet spectacular. It demonstrated just how much significance is attached to Africa Cup of Nations qualification.

    Somehow a major disaster was avoided, as fans climbed on to floodlight towers and nearby pylons to catch a view of the match. Such security failings made headlines around the world, but the result was also an important one for the Egyptian national team. The 1-1 draw kept them in control at the top of Group G.

    Egypt followed that up by claiming a 1-0 win over Nigeria in the second part of their qualification double header, putting Hector Cuper’s side on seven points from three fixtures. The Pharaohs have yet to suffer defeat, winning two and drawing one in their efforts to make it to Gabon next year. So far so good.

    But for Egypt right now the future must be viewed through the prism of the bigger picture. Qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations would provide them with something of a springboard, but further success must follow if they are to make the most of the talent they have at hand.

    The Pharaohs have long been giants of the African game, excelling at the Africa Cup of Nations over the past decade. Egypt won three successive AFCONs between 2006 and 2010 but have since missed three successive tournaments as they endured something of a transitional spell. Now they’re finally emerging on the other side.

    Of course, Egypt’s struggle in recent years has been partly attributable to the turbulent political situation in the country, with former Bob Bradley in particular facing difficult circumstances as the Arab Spring prompted governmental and cultural change. Football mattered little at such a time as domestic leagues were suspended.

    Talent pool

    But their recent progress is about more than just a newfound societal stability. Egypt’s talent pool is as dynamic and exciting as it has been for a generation. Mohamed Elneny and Mohamed Salah in particular are seen as the vanguard of the country’s next great team, with both players thriving in Europe.

    “They have been awesome in the recent weeks, and hopefully they will continue their in-form performances,” Cuper said of his European-based players, including Salah and Elneny. “I believe in my work; I believe in my players. I’m positive we are going to do a good job. That’s the spirit we need.”

    Indeed, with those two players leading the attacking line Egypt have the quality to break down any side in Africa, but now they must prove as much in a global sense. The Pharaohs have yet to kick off their World Cup qualification campaign, but Cuper must set his sights on making Russia in two years time, even at this early stage.

    Egypt’s failures at the World Cup have long proved a paradox for the continent’s most dominant national team. They haven’t made the step up to international football’s biggest stage since 1990, with World Cup qualification the perennial hurdle to have tripped many before Cuper. Their AFCON success is yet to translate into anything at international football’s most prestigious tournament.

    And so two talents like Elneny and Salah at their current disposal Egypt need to take the chance they have been afforded. Ahmed Hegazy, Ramy Rabia, Mahmoud Trezeguet, Ahmed Hassan Mahgoub and Ramadan Sobhi make up the remainder of the country’s next generation, giving them a well founded grounding for the future.

    That future must include an appearance at the World Cup. The course has been set for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, but Cuper should start plotting the way to Russia. For Egypt, AFCON qualification is about more than just the AFCON.

    (english.alarabiya.net)

  • Egypt shows interest in hosting 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup

    Egypt shows interest in hosting 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup

    ΓενικάFIFA have announced the nations that have shown interest in hosting the 9th edition of FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2020, with Egypt named as a contender, showing their desire to host the event.

    Egypt is among a list of a record 13 countries from five Confederations that bid to host the tournament, due to take place in four years. The full list of countries include Egypt, Croatia, Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Iran, Japan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Netherlands and New Zealand. The only continent not to have a nation in the bidding processes is South America as Colombia will be hosting the 8th edition next September.

    After showing their desire in bring the tournament into their homes, the Member Associations will now receive bid packs which include more information about the bidding processes and the requirements needed to be fulfilled in order to host the tournament. The next step will be the Member associations ensuring their commitment. The formal declarations of interest should be done by 6th of May. The host is expected to officially announced in December.

    The 2020 tournament is going to be the 9th edition of FIFA Futsal World Cup, with the first having taken place in 1990 in the Netherlands. The 8th edition will kick off this September in Colombia, with Egypt still in the running for a qualifying spot.

    The Pharaohs will play off in Group B in 2016 African Futsal Cup of Nations alongside Libya, Angola and Morocco. The African Cup of Nations act as qualifications to the World Cup as the top three nations will qualify to the tournament. Should Egypt make the tournament, it will be the 6th time in a row that the Pharaohs have participated.

    (kingfut.com)

  • Marathon journey of Rio 2016 flame includes Rio Bridge in Greece

    Marathon journey of Rio 2016 flame includes Rio Bridge in Greece

    ΓενικάOrganisers have revealed that the Olympic flame will visit Zakynthos, Corfu and the historic town of Marathon as part of a Greek odyssey before it is entrusted to the Rio 2016 Organising committee. As tradition dictates, the flame will be kindled from the rays of the sun in the ruins of Ancient Olympia on April 21 by Greek actress Katarina Lehou, in her role as High Priestess of the Goddess Hera. She also lit the flame for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing and Lillehammer. She will be supported in the ceremony by a retinue of priestesses, who will wear costumes inspired by the Chiton, a dress worn in Ancient Greece. 

    This year, these have been designed by London born Greek-Cypriot designer Eleni Kyriacou, who trained under Alexander McQueen. They are accompanied by specially designed sandals and will be used at the flame lighting ceremony in Olympia and at the send off festivities in Athens. The relay to Rio also marks 80 years since runners carried a flame by hand from Olympia to Berlin for the 1936 Games and officials are encouraging as many Greeks as possible to turn out to support the flame and mark the anniversary. “The flame was first lit on Ancient Olympia’s sacred soil to illuminate the Modern Olympic Games,” said Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) President Spyros Capralos. “Beyond the historical significance for our country, the ceremony connects the ancient with the modern. “Ideals that were born in Ancient Greece travel around the world giving substance to the concept of culture and peace.”

    The 2016 lighting ceremony will be witnessed by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman. When the runners leave the ancient stadium, they pause to pay homage at a monument to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the French nobleman who was instrumental in reviving the Olympic Games in 1896. Runners will then take the flame to the neighbouring town of Pyrgos and it is set to arrive in Zakynthos in the early evening. 

    In this of all years, it is appropriate that it will cross the Rio Bridge which crosses the Gulf of Corinth. The flame first made the crossing in 2004, carried by Otto Rehhagel, coach to the Greek European Championship winning football team. It will then head north through mainland Greece before crossing the water to Corfu, the home island of Spiros Samaras, the musician who composed the Olympic anthem. Day three ends in Thessaloniki and it will then head on to Alexandropouli before returning south once again. The flame will also be carried by a Syrian refugee at the Eleonas Reception Centre in Athens, although the identity of the runner remains a secret. This is very symbolic and reaffirms the support of the Olympic movement for fellow citizens who have fled their homes under tragic circumstances and seek a better future for themselves and their families, according to Capralos. On the final day (April 27), the flame makes a short journey from the Acropolis to the Panathinaiko Stadium. There will then be a formal ceremony to entrust the flame to representatives of Rio 2016.

    Sakis Rouvas, a Greek singer and one time athlete who was a star performer at the Athens 2004 Olympic Closing ceremony, will lead the entertainment in support of the Greek Olympic team as part of the “Hellas you can do it” campaign. Rouvas, who sang for his country at the Eurovision Song Contest, also presents the Greek version of singing contest The X-Factor. “I feel honour and gratitude to participate as a volunteer and and invite you, together with one voice, to send a strong global message from Athens to the world,” he said.  “A message of peace, fair play, noble competition, passion, optimism and pride.”

    (insidethegames.biz)