9 - 15 May 2002
Issue No.585
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 9 - 15 May 2002 Issue No.585 |
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Obituary
Death of an icon
Saleh Selim (1930-2002)
Saleh Selim, arguably Egypt's most celebrated sports figure ever, died on Monday after a long battle with liver cancer at London's Clinic Hospital. He was 72.
Saleh Selim
Selim, Ahli Club's president, was nicknamed "the maestro" for a combination of footballing skills -- which most observers say bordered on genius -- and for the way in which he marshalled his players on the pitch, not unlike a field general, which netted for Ahli and Egypt numerous Arab and African championships. So great was his prowess and charisma, that to call Selim a legend was not a stretch. Selim joined Ahli at 17 and won his first international cap in 1950. He remained an instrumental member of the Egyptian squad until his retirement in 1967.
Selim was one of the first Egyptian players to ply their trade in Europe, joining Austrian outfit Stum Graz in 1963 where he spent four years.
Like many of his peers, Selim's retirement was due in part to the 1967 Middle East war. He remained in the football scene, however, becoming Ahli's football director following the 1973 war before losing the club's presidential elections three years later to the incumbent, Abdel- Mohsen Murtagi.
Selim became Ahli president in 1980 after thrashing Murtagi at the ballot box, and was re-elected for another four-year term in 1988. He initially refused to run for the post in 1992 but was persuaded by the club's members to seek a new mandate. In an unusual vote of confidence, the club's board of directors was dissolved in a show of support for their candidate.
Selim was one of the first of the country's sports figures to turn to acting. He co-starred with Nagat in Black Candles and with leading lady Faten Hamama in The Open Door.
Following Selim's death, Ahli's board of directors issued a statement saying vice-president Hassan Hamdi will take over as president until the club's General Assembly meeting in September.
Hamdi, Selim's right-hand man since the 1980 elections, is expected to run for the presidential post with a possible challenge from Hossam Badrawi, former member of the board and currently a member of the People's Assembly. Former star Mahmoud El-Khatib is expected to battle for the vice-president post with club treasurer Ibrahim El-Maalim.
Selim is survived by two sons, Hisham, an actor, and Khaled. His brother Tareq is Ahli's football director.
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