Back to the mat
By
Inas Mazhar
Last week's shocking retirement of Egypt's wrestling champion Karam Gaber from local play was met with a surprisingly prompt response on the part of Egyptian officials. Gaber -- silver medalist at the last World Championship -- sent officials scurrying to reverse his decision.
As soon as the news spread about his retirement from national play, and his intentions to immigrate to the USA and turn pro at an American club there, sports officials called for solving the problem. All parties concerned gathered in an attempt to save the game and preserve Egypt's reputation and future on the international wrestling map.
The ministers of Youth and Petroleum met together with the governor of Alexandria, and president of the Olympic Club of Alexandria -- for whom the champion plays. The officials faced the facts and discussed the problems hindering the player, and threatening to compromise his level of play, and the chance at an Olympic gold medal.
They debated and discussed and debated some more until they found an answer. In what is considered as a miracle to the champion who never expected to wake up one day and find all his financial, social and sports problems solved, the officials decided on the following: The Ministry of Petroleum will financially support the Gaber's training programme; he will receive a monthly salary from one of the major petroleum companies to which he will be appointed; and he will receive an apartment, allocated to him by Maj General Abdel-Salam El- Mahgoub, governor of Alexandria.
Literally, overnight, Gaber's problems have been solved; an occurrence rare on the local sport scene. If others try to follow him, chances are they will not be so lucky. No-one, sports critics warn, should count on Gaber's luck.
His decision, however, was not intended to be a threat; he announced to the media what he literally could not do: Maintain his rank and standard of play given his financial situation at the time. He says he was just being honest.
And now, with no more obstacles or problems to hinder his winning streak and success, Gaber is looking forward to the special training programme that has been set for him, and he looks forward to attaining his life-long goal; stepping onto the Olympic podium.
We too wish that Gaber can hit that target. He is wished well by fans, critics and the media, but no-one will hesitate to remind him that he no longer has excuses. A failed route to an Olympic medal will send Gaber instantaneously to the media's guillotine.
