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Al-Ahram Weekly 7 - 13 September 2000 Issue No. 498 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 7 - 13 September 2000 Issue No. 498
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters Proud to be Egyptian
Invited to the tournament after its recent selection as a first-level nation in the Special Olympics, the Egyptian mentally challenged soccer team goes up against tough competition in Germany. The three-day tournament, which ends tomorrow, pits Egypt against powerhouses England, Holland, Poland and Finland in a round-robin fixture, reports Abeer Anwar from Berlin. But it appears the team, under coach Sherif El-Foh, might turn out the giant-killer, judging by its performance in the preliminary rounds staged to determine the extent of each player's disability.
Upon arrival, the team was given the red carpet treatment by Egyptians living in Germany, who welcomed the players with open arms at the airport. Thereafter, it was not a bed of roses for the team. Several players came down with the flu but insisted on training anyway, doing so in the hotel's garden.
Some of the players were not too happy with the hotel's food -- whoever is? -- or with the quantity which they claimed to be too small. Negotiations with the culinary staff soon set things right.
Getting to the stadium, quite far from the hotel, was another problem which Egyptian ambassador Mahmoud Mubarak, with the help of aides Ahmed Ezzat and Ahmed Fahmi, resolved admirably by providing the team with its own bus.
At the stadium, Ayman Abdel-Wahab, head of the delegation, addressed the opening ceremonies. The Egyptian flag was seen fluttering along various aisles, hoisted by excited, proud patriots.
