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Al-Ahram Weekly 18 - 24 March 1999 Issue No. 421 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 18 - 24 March 1999 Issue No. 421
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Ahli blocks Zamalek
By Abeer AnwarThe signs appeared to be in Zamalek's favour: it was playing its stars Ahmed Helmi and Ashraf Sobhi, last year's Arab Champions who transferred from Ahli to Zamalek this season, and Ahmed Saleh who was placed third in the World Junior Championship in China last month. Furthermore, the team was enthusiastic and eager to regain the title that they had held three times previously but has eluded them the past three years.
"We prepared well for the event through a number of international championships, such as Qatar's International Championship, and we are here to avenge ourselves and restore the title," said Ahmed Helmi.
Ahli, however, who has taken the league title seven times, three of them consecutively, prepared for the match for two weeks at the Olympic Centre in Maadi, and, after a challenging match, snatched the title again.
photo: Mohamed Mossad
The competition, which was held at the Armed Forces Indoor Hall, started with an exciting match between Zamalek's Ashraf Helmi and Ahli's Sherif El-Saket. The latter's quiet temper and style assured him of a 21-18, 21-15 victory.
Ahli's Sherif Diaa notched up another victory for his team after beating Zamalek's more experienced Sobhi in the best match of the day, taking two sets to one, 21-17, 12-21 and 21-13.
The tables were turned in the third match, when Zamalek's Ahmed Salah snatched victory from Ahli's Amr Reda, with a score of 25-23 and 21-16. Zamalek's Sobhi then went on to avenge his team against El-Saket, winning the first two sets 21-17 and 21-14.
With both teams neck and neck, the final match was the decider. Ahli's Diaa dashed Zamalek's hopes by taking the first two sets from Sobhi, 21-15 and 21-18, and retaining the title for Ahli.
Sporting came in third place, beating Shams 3-0.
In the women's final, Ahli beat Gezira 3-0, with Zamalek taking third place after a 3-0 victory over Shams. .
