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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 - 10 November 1999 Issue No. 454 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 4 - 10 November 1999 Issue No. 454
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Profile Travel Living Sports People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Some respect, finally
By Dalia El-Hennawy
Maaden entered the history books when the club beat Smoha of Alexandria 1-0 to capture the women's football cup -- not to mention the hearts and minds of many fans-- in the first tournament of its kind in Egypt.
Maaden girls entering history by beating Smoha of Alexandria in the final of the first footbal cup for women
photo: Ahmed Abdel-RazekMaaden's 17-year-old sensation, Sara Hassanein, selected by FIFA for the world all-star team, scored the lone goal six minutes into the match, firing a free kick into the net. Maaden dominated throughout and only several fine saves by Heba Baraka prevented a much higher score. In fact, Maaden was the superior club in the entire eight-team competition, winning all its matches.
"We took it step by step," said Sahar El-Hawary, head of the Egyptian women's soccer committee. "First, it was forming the national team, followed by the African championship until the game gained recognition and became a major fixture on the agenda of the Egyptian Football Association." El-Hawary said this followed the national league and cup competitions. "We started last year with the national league, but we didn't have time for the cup competition. This season, we decided to postpone the league championship and start with the cup first."
A bevy of top officials graced the final, held at the Labour Institute grounds in Shobra El-Kheima, lending an added air of credibility to the sport which has had trouble generating interest here. El-Dahshoury Harb, head of the Egyptian Football Association, headed a list of top football officials who saw the game, much to the delight of El-Hawary. "The attendance of these people means that those who opposed women's football are now respecting it, especially after FIFA recognised it as an official sport." Egypt's World Cup referee Gamal El-Ghandour officiated the final, an added honour. "This also indicates that we are receiving equal treatment as men," added El-Hawary.
