Slick football

EMC won the third Ramadan petroleum soccer tournament, reports Ahmed Morsy

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The petroleum football championship

The Egyptian Maintenance Company (EMC) thrashed the Egyptian Drilling Company (EDC) 5-1 in the final of the third Ramadan petroleum soccer tournament on Saturday.

The 10-day tournament held in Cairo International Stadium witnessed the participation of 36 teams from the petroleum sector, 20 from the private sector companies and 16 from state-owned companies. The tournament was staged under the patronage of the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and supported by the Children's Cancer Hospital 57357.

Third place went to the Egyptian Natural Gas company (GASCO) after beating Petrographics 7-2. GASCO included heavyweight former Ahli striker Ali Maher, and the top scorer of the tournament Hossam Abdel-Azzim who netted 10 goals. GASCO's Mohamed Sobhi of league team Police Union was voted best goalie. The best player went to EMC's Khaled Reda. Ahmed Abdel-Karim was selected best coach.

Despite being eliminated by Siemens 2-1 in the round of 16, title holders Shell deserved to be gifted the most entertaining team prize as a result of their entertaining style in football. In addition to being the title holders, Shell was expected to reach the final.

Baker Hughes supporters and fans were worthy of being named the best audience in the Ramadan five-a-side tournament for displaying their unique style in supporting their team. In spite of the tough challenge posed by EDC, Siemens and Ocean Marine, Baker deserved to win for their unique folklore.

The closing ceremony was attended by Hadi Fahmi, president of the High Council for Sports Activities in the petroleum sector and the Head of the Egyptian Handball Federation, Sherif Abou El-Naga, vice president of the Children's Cancer Hospital, and Mohamed Fouad, president of the organising company Egypt Oil and Gas, plus a number of chairmen of participating companies.

"The tournament is improving every year," Fouad told Al-Ahram Weekly.

"Last year's tournament had only 16 teams from the petroleum private sector companies. This year we insisted on increasing the number so as to reinforce the presence of state-owned companies which are famous for their good football.

"In addition to improving the relationships between the members of the petroleum sector, the tournament this year aimed to add a social role by connecting the 57357 hospital and the tournament," Fouad added.

During the 10-day tournament a booth was set up to collect donations. The draw was held in the hospital. Young patients took part in the ceremony and the draw.

Fahmi, Fouad and Hani El-Sharkawi, chairman of Dana Gas and the official sponsor of the tournament, toured the hospital and handed out gifts to the children.