 |
Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 June 2000 Issue No. 485 
|
||
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
|
Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 June 2000 Issue No. 485
|
||
| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
| ||
Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Legend turns ambassador
By Abeer Anwar
While the playing days of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, two-time European footballer of the year, are long over, his involvement in the game is just as deep. Now 44 and the vice president of Bayern Munich, Rummenigge is also spearheading Germany's bid to host the 2006 World Cup. The German legend-turned-ambassador in the drive thinks his country has right of way.
"I am not against Africa hosting the World Cup especially after the great progress African football has shown but Germany has its reasons," Rummenigge said while in Cairo to take part in African club draws: "When we organised the 1974 World Cup it was in West Germany's name but now we want to prove to the world that Germany has changed completely after unification in 1989. We also want to win the bid to push our junior players to exert more effort in the World Cup six years from now. I think that Germany, with its long soccer history, its playgrounds and facilities, has the right to organise this event but I can't hide the fact that we are facing tough competition from England, Morocco and South Africa."
Capped 95 times, Rummenigge scored 45 goals for Germany and played in three World Cups -- achievements that enable him to spot talent when he sees it. "I believe that African football is very good," Rummenigge said. "Fifty-three Africans are playing on European teams and that is a very big number." But it's not just the quantity that Rummenigge applauds. "They have good skills, they are good in character and spirit which makes African players very interesting."
Rummenigge had praise for Egypt's players as well. "They have technically good skills, they are disciplined but they lack physical fitness.
"I am impressed with Hani Ramzi's skills after playing a good season with Kaiserslautern. Stuttgart player Ahmed Salah Hosni has also attracted my attention. Although he is not taking part on a regular basis, he scores when he plays and that means he is a good and talented player. I also saw Egypt a year ago in the Continental Cup in Mexico. They did well, I believe."
As to Bayern Munich, the famed club Rummenigge played on, "it is very good. We won the cup and league title, something not done by any other European club. We also reached the semi-finals of the European Champions League but we lost to Real Madrid which won the title." Despite that loss, Rummenigge said the club could not be happier with this year's results.
As to the coming European Nations Cup Championship, Rummenigge feared Germany would face strong competition starting from the first round. "Our group includes England, Romania and Portugal which are very strong contenders," he said.
"I am very happy to have the chance to see a part of Egypt, Cairo, with its huge history and traditions," Rummenigge said about his first visit to Egypt. "I am also happy to have participated in the African draw" which, he added, is very similar to the European UEFA format.
