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Al-Ahram Weekly 30 March - 5 April 2000 Issue No. 475 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 30 March - 5 April 2000 Issue No. 475
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Special Focus Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Mini-football diplomacy
By Dalia El-HennawyMore than 50 embassies and international organisations operating in Egypt are to take part in a five-a-side football tournament which seeks to promote global unity -- albeit on a small scale.
"One of our objectives in this championship is to increase the spirit of friendship throughout the diplomatic corps and to prove to the world that Egypt is still safe and ready to hold any international event," said Ashraf Ibrahim, a member of the United Group for Development (UGD), co-organiser of the tournament.
Though the door is open for any number of applications to the 10-day event, to be played next month in Cairo Stadium's indoor hall, only 24 teams will be selected. One of the objectives of the tournament's organising committee is to pick teams representing the major continents.
Mini-football, officially known as futsal, has gained worldwide popularity over the years that has seen a world futsal cup come into being. Unlike its big brother, the pace is usually faster and more goals are scored.
The teams will be divided into six groups of four teams each. They will play a round-robin system after which the top two teams from each group, plus the four top teams to finish in third place, will qualify for the second round to be played according to a knock-out system. The first three teams will be awarded medals. Three cups will go to the best player, best goalkeeper and top scorer. The team with the fewest infractions will receive a fair play award. The Egyptian Football Association (EFA), the tournament's co-host, will send foreign referees to officiate the games.
"We want these politically involved people to get closer to each other through sports to prove that sports play an important role in uniting nations and building a friendly relationship among them," Ibrahim said. "Embassies and international organisations will not only be taking part with their teams but will be supported by senior embassy officials who want to encourage their junior staff," he added.
A US embassy team won the first futsal championship. Malta claimed the second event and the Arab League the third.
In a related development, the Egyptian Gulf Bank last week won the Futsal Bankers Championship, the fifth tournament of its kind. The Bank of Commerce and Development was runner-up in the 12-team field. Mohamed Abdel-Kader from Citibank was named the best player, Amr Ezzeddine from the Bank of Commerce the best goalkeeper and Amr Fathi from the Export Development Bank best marksman. The Societé Nationale General Bank received the cup for best sportsmanship.
