21 - 27 June 2001
Issue No.539
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 21 - 27 June 2001 Issue No.539 |
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Games of the military
Fifty years after hosting its first world military football championship, Egypt is doing so again. Amira Ibrahim reports
The armed forces of 12 countries are prepared to launch military manoeuvres tonight -- on the football field.
Dry runs for the opening
photos: Khaled El-Fiqi
The world military football championship is scheduled to kick off at Cairo's Military Academy Stadium, celebrating the 39th edition of a tournament not normally associated with great soccer. Nevertheless, for Egypt the event has special significance on two counts. It has been 50 years since the country last hosted the championship, in 1951. Secondly, having already won the cup twice, a third victory would allow Egypt to keep the cup permanently, as Brazil did with the Jules Rimet trophy in the World Cup.
Egypt's chances of capturing the title for a third time are more than good considering that its two previous military crowns were won while playing away. In 1993 Egypt beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final. In 1999, in Croatia, it outlasted Greece, winning 5-4 on penalties.
This is the 20th time that Egypt participates in the championship. It joined the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) in 1950 and hosted the sixth tournament a year later. Only six countries were competing then as Italy beat Egypt in the final. France came in third. In subsequent years, it would be Egypt's turn to finish third, doing so in 1955, 1956 and 1987 in Italy, Portugal and Italy again respectively.
With a long history in the championship, Greece is expected to pose the biggest threat to Egypt. It has won the cup a record five times and has made a record 25 appearances. Greece was also runner-up in 1961 and 1999 and took third place three times.
Another top contender is Guinea, the African military champion, which is due to play Egypt in the opening game. "Beating Guinea is half the way to the cup," said Egyptian team manager Mohamed Omar. "Guinea has improved and I think we need our supporters to stand by us in the first match," he added.
Cyprus and North Korea round out the rest of Egypt's Group A. Since Cyprus plays much like the Greeks it, too, is expected to be a strong challenger.
Despite the competition, Egypt is expected to at least qualify for the semi-finals. Omar said the Pharaohs will play a 3-5-2 format on the pitch with possible changes according to the circumstances of each match.
Qatar, one of three Arab entries, hosted the tournament in 1981 after joining the CISM in 1975. Playing in the competition seven times, its best result was second place in 1981.
Syria, which hosted the championship in 1977, has qualified 13 times, taking third place in 1981 in what was its best performance.
Germany, a powerhouse on the world professional scene, has failed to duplicate its famed international record in the military games, not once winning the trophy despite 17 appearances. It came second in 1987 and third twice.
Although the US joined the CISM as early as 1946 and has fielded teams in 13 tournaments it has thus far failed to impress.
The full picture has Egypt in Group A playing in Cairo, together with Guinea, Cyprus and North Korea. Port Said hosts Group B which includes Greece, Burkina Faso, Qatar and the US. Germany, Côte d'Ivoire, Syria and Ukraine make up Group C which plays in Alexandria.
The tournament will follow a round-robin. The first two teams of each group plus the best two third-placed teams then qualify for the quarter- finals which will be played in the three cities while the semi-final and the final will take place in Cairo. Sudden death or the golden goal rule will be applied starting from the quarter-final round.
The event is being held under CISM's auspices, in coordination with the Defence Ministry and the Egyptian Armed Forces Sports Council. Maj Gen Mustafa Kamel Fahmi, head of the Military Sports Body, is supervising the arrangements for the two-week tournament which ends 7 July and which will be attended by approximately 400 players and officials.
Those buying tickets -- all will be sold for LE2 -- will be treated to a two-part show on opening day, including a military musical called "Egypt, the sun of civilisation." A music-and- dance routine by pop singer Anoushka will follow.
The opening ceremony, to be witnessed by an estimated crowd of almost 30,000, is scheduled to start at 7pm.
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