Ambitions of al-Ahly : become Real Madrid of African Football

The space of an evening, Saturday 12 November, the red became the color of Egypt. That night, for the fourth time in its history, al-Ahly won the African champions league. Faced by the red devils, the tunisians of "l'étoile du Sahel" have not resisted. The game ended by the score : three-zero. Immediately after the final whistle, thousands of fans rushed in the streets of Cairo. Waving red flags, they manifested till late in the night their love for this club of legend.

For al-Ahly and its supporters, this event is to mark a milestone. With the win, the club from cairo reached in fact a record of 52 successive matches without defeat! The three goals scored in tunisian cages have also offered to al-Ahly the title of champion of Africa with nine wins and five ties. Finally, the club with red jersey became the first African club to qualify for the FIFA club World Cup, to be held from 11 to 18 December in Japan. This series of honors are added to the many trophies earned by the club which was founded almost a century before. A respectable age that does not prevent the club to display clearly its ambitious plans for the future.

Al-Ahly, which means in Arabic "national", was founded in 1907. Its history goes hand in hand with the empowerment of the Egyptian people against the British occupation in the early twentieth century. A movement initiated by the independentist leader Mostafa Kamel. The creation of the first club intended to be for Egyptian was launched by Omar Lotfi Bey, a friend of Mostapha Kamel, while chairing the club of students from high schools. This club was recruiting among independentist students. Being a thorn in the foot of the occupant, the club pushed the British to promote the establishment of a sports club which will occupy these healthy young students and keep them away from politics. It's missed. Indeed, from birth, al-Ahly became a political and national symbol for the Egyptians.

The laws applied at the time of occupancy required that the president of club has to be British. The founders of the club should do with the law and take the opportunity to facilitate the acquisition of land necessary for the work. So the English Michel Anas became the first president of "al-Ahly". He held the first meeting on 24 April 1907. A month later, on May 26th, shares of the company "Al-Ahly for sports activities" is launched (5000 shares at a price of an Egyptian pound/unit). On 26 February 1909, the club is officially inaugurated. The direction of the club will not remain long in the hands of British. On 4 January 1924, the general assembly of Al-Ahly decided to cancel the membership of foreigners. Five years later, the club is up under the aegis of King Fouad of Egypt. Consequently, generations of young Egyptians will learn a sport in dedicating their success to the revival of their national pride ...

In these circumstances, it's understood that the jersey has become more than just a symbol. Its story begins in 1911. The team of Al-Ahly was first wearing a shirt striped red and white, then half red and half white. The red was gradually imposed on the jersey, while the short is still white. Red is the color of the flag Ottoman Empire which at that time still officially includes Egypt. White recalls the stars and the crescent designed on the flag. The logo of the club is drawn, 3 November 1917, by the uncle of King Farouk of Egypt, Mohammad Sabri Cherif Pasha. It represents an eagle bearing the royal crown. Crown will disappear of the logo after the revolution of 1952 to be replaced by the word club.

The club keeps its political role as long as the British occupation remains. The English gone, al-Ahly abandon politics. Therefore the club can focus on its efforts in sports and social fields. While keeping in mind that it is "the club of all Egyptians". And of all atheletics : Club in english style, Al-Ahly combines several disciplines, social and cultural activities. Since then, al-Ahly has remained faithful to this vocation. At the moment, the club offers 25 sports : swimming, basketball, handball, tennis ... It gives Egypt 65% of the selected athletes in international competitions.

Budget of  24 million euros!

The club has a budget of 165 million Egyptian pounds, the equivalent of 24,5 million euros. An amount that must be assessed in terms of purchasing power of the currency. Its budget and the infrastructure allow the club to conduct a unique training policy in Egypt. Al-Ahly has the experience of his "sons" (former players) to lead the underage teams. The club offers a double training: one for the player and another for the coach.

Everything starts with the "school of football from age of 8 to 13 years old. In this school the children learn the finer points of sport. The club understood the need to take children seriously. They are placed under the supervision of international and Egyptian experts. Then comes the sector of « teams of hope », The ages range startes from 13 to 20 years old. These promising juniors come from all over Egypt and must undergo a technical test to be accepted. Then they learn to compete in the championships. The best of them will finally be able to integrate the "first team".

Recently, al-Ahly has established its sports academy dedicated to prepare the future champions. The academy has branches all over Egypt to discover young people with a genuine talent.

The activities of Al-Ahly also extend on the social level. The club offers of material and financial aid to orphans houses, organizes campaigns and donation of blood, supports the construction of the all new hospital specialized in cancer. It also supports the hosting of the seeds of stars who do not live in Cairo and bear the costs of their schooling.

As for the financial potential of the club, it is ensured through multiple sources. First is the generosity of sponsors and the businessmen fan of the club. The sale of players also brings a comfortable sum for al-Ahly. Then the activities of the marketing committee, responsible for selling the name of al-Ahly. Then come to a large extent, the contributions paid by club members. Their number amounts to 72 000 families, approximately 250 000 individuals. Amount of contributions each year: 3 077 537 Egyptian pounds.

But the club does not stop there. It multiplies the efforts to increase its budget. Al-Ahly is inspired directly by the experience of Real Madrid and Manchester United. In the coming months, al-Ahly to launch its own television channel. It also plans to start construction of hotels and hyper-markets on land it owns ...

Ahly-Zamalek, the best enemies in the world

"The hell of al-Ahly is better than paradise in other clubs" ... A truth which the players are aware when they leave al-Ahly for other destinations. This had to be the the thinking of the player Mohamed Abdel Guelil after leaving al-Ahly to join Zamalek in the 90's. The great rivalry that has always opposed the two egyptien football clubs started in the 30's  with the transfer of star Hussein Hegazi from Zamalek to al-Ahly. This rivalry is still alive. Zamalek is ranked second among football teams in Egypt and Africa. And Egypt was always shared between the fans of Al-Ahly and Zamalek.

The leaders of al-Ahly take in a good way the "good spirit of rivalry" between the two clubs. "It is good for Egyptian football. Because when the competition is the high, level is improving", says Moharam al-Ragheb, general director of Al-Ahly. This does not prevent the club to denounce the maneuvers made by Zamalek to poach players from Al Ahly. While hoping that the sports friendship  that has always united the two clubs be back.

Faced with Zamalek, the strength of al-Ahly is its management and the consistency of its policy, despite changes in boards of directors. "The various boards of directors of the club share the same principles and apply the same policies", said al-Ragheb. "We are trying to convey these principles to the players, who often regret leaving us in case of transfer. "Another strong point of Al Ahly is the values we instil in our players ... with the first compliance level of the opponents. Our club has a culture of victory and strength to face adversity, until the last minute! We must also take into account the administrative organization: everyone knows its rights, responsibilities and limits", he added

About the challenges of al-Ahly, Al-Ragheb simplifies it in one word "ambition". That to improve and join the big clubs like Real Madrid. He goes even further and does not hide his ambition to see the club play one day in the European Champions League.

Awards
African Champions League 1982 - 1987 - 2001 - 2005 and Runner up in 1983
African Cup of Cups 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1993
African Supercup 2002 and Runner up 1994
Afro-Asian Cup 1989
Arab Champions League 1996
Arab Cup of Cups 1995
Arab Supercup 1997 -1998

Egyptian League (30 titles) 1949 - 1950 - 1951 - 1953 - 1954 - 1956 - 1957 - 1958 - 1959 - 1961 - 1962 - 1975 - 1976 - 1977 - 1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1989 -- 1994 - 1995 - 1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2005

Cup of Egypt (34 titles) 1924 - 1925 - 1927 - 1928 - 1930 - 1931 - 1937 - 1940 - 1942 - 1943 - 1945 - 1946 - 1947 - 1949 - 1950 - 1951 - 1953 - 1956 - 1958 - 1961 - 1966 - 1978 - 1981 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1989 - 1991 - 1992 - 1993 - 1996 - 2001 - 2003

SuperCup of egypt 2003 - 2005
Sultan Hussein's Cup 1923 - 1924 - 1926 - 1927 - 1929 - 1931 - 1939
Cairo League 1939 - 1942 - 1943 - 1948 - 1950
League of the United Arab Republic (Egypt and Syria) 1961


Hassan Hamdi: The professionalism and stability are the forces of al-Ahly
Elected on 17 December 2004, President and CEO of Al-Ahly, Hassan Hamdi rarely addresses to the press. He prefers action to words. Born in August 2nd, 1949, the "marshal" has joined the club as a junior, at the age of 14 years.
In 1971, he played as a defender on the first team, where he acquired another nickname, "Defense Minister" of al-Ahly. He ended his athletic career at the age of 29 years due to injury.

What means to you the evening of 12 November 2005?
A pleasant evening: we played well, well organized the final. In addition to winning the African Champions League, we are qualified for the FIFA clubs to the World Cup.

After spending 33 years at Al-Ahly, what difference do you see between this club and the other Egyptian clubs?
We were raised in the club. We learned lots of things that are a legacy passed from one generation to another. This heritage, traditions and morals, is to follow a good management system and defend the rights of the club, regardless of the party with whom we deal. We learned this from our predecessors. Al-Ahly is based on principles that do not change with the boards of directors.

You have at least 300 licensed in the club. The football first team depends on the son of the club or hire players from other clubs?
Throughout our history, we have recruited players from the club and outside. They all contributed to our record. The policy is to teach the footballer who wear the red jersey the culture of "red devils". But ultimately, it depends on the discipline and morale of the player.

al-Ahly is currently launching "the Academy of al-Ahly", what are the goals of this project?
The idea is to look for players with talent throughout Egypt. It has branches in all governorates (provinces) to ensure the club good footballers.

What are the plans of al-Ahly to increase the income of the football team?
The club makes a profit through the football team. Over the past two years, despite the recruitment of 14 players, their salaries and the commitments of the club, we made a profit. We won, after the victory of November 12, at least two million dollars : one million by winning the African Champions League, and another for the qualification for the FIFA clubs World Cup. We run the football in the club as a commercial and professional institution.

As an old player, how do you see the future of al-Ahly in the context of football in Egypt?
We always study the weaknesses of the team, whether at the level of senior or junior. We try to fill any gaps. I think the problem of football in Egypt is the lack of professionalism. All items of football must be of professional : players, administrators, referees. With an ongoing desire to learn and improve.

You say that the administration of al-Ahly is professional. But why did it tilted to its supporters, who demanded to fire the Portuguese coach Oliviera and recruit his his countryman Manuel José?
Every rule has its exceptions. At the time, al-Ahly knew outstanding issues and the results were not up to the club. The fans were angry, and the change was the only solution to calm the supports and to not lose them.

What do you think about clubs that overstate their players to prevent them from acceding to the European clubs?
We must facilitate the recruitment of Egyptian players in Europe. This will improve the Egyptian football. Al-Ahly always encourages his players to go to European clubs. One example, Hani Ramzy, who left in the early 90s to Switzerland and Germany, and Ahmed Samir Farag, who left for Sochaux when he was 17 years old.

What is your ambition as CEO of the club?
I hope to see the club reachs the global level. The FIFA Clubs World Cup is just the beginning. To achieve our goal we must organize games with the big clubs in Europe.


Technical Sheet of the club
Name: al-Ahly
Nickname: El-shayatyn al-Homr or The Red Devils (Diables rouges)
Date of creation: 1907
Stadium: stadium in Cairo
Capacity: 80 000
CEO: Hassan Hamdi
Coach : Manuel Jose (Portuguese)
Colors: Red jersey, white shorts, red socks
Number of players selected in the egyptian national team : Twelve
Members of clubs: 72 000 families (250 000 persons)
Four sites: al-Jazeira (Center of Cairo), Medinet Nasr (east of Cairo), the quote of the Six-October (Great suburb of Cairo) and Marsa Matrouh (North-West of Egypt)

Seed of star : Ahmed Mamdouh ... Attention Talent!
"He represents the future for the "al-Ahly" strik. At the friendly tournament for U-15, in 2004, which was held in the UAE, he has impressed opponents till the point that the directors of the Brazilian team Sao Paolo have asked to recruit him. For al-Amry Farouq, board member of al-Ahly, Ahmed Mamdouh is a promising player.

Exeptional striker, selected six times in the U-17 national team, Ahmed Mamdouh to have everything to succeed. Born on 3 March 1988, this player (1,75m and 69-70Kg) has three sisters and he admits that has a good place in the family : "As a boy, I'm spoiled at home, but in the Egyptian tradition". Son of an Egyptian Millionaire and student at the American International School in Cairo, Ahmed is juggling between studies, training, family and friends.

A preparatory training for a game againest Zamalek in the U-17 Egyptian championship. The team started already training twenty minutes ago, Ahmed comes in hurry to the ground, yet laced spikes. "I have permission to be late because i just got out of classes. In everyday life, I have to organize myself better, because there are times when I focus more on studies than football, and vis-versa".

Special permission granted to an exeptional player by Diaa el-Sayed, the coach of the U-17 team of al-Ahly. "Despite the money from his father, he retains a normal way of life. What interests him is the sports. He plays football for football. He is not nervous in the field, he is close to his teammates. He is fast, powerful. He has a great mentality on the field. He is an outstanding striker.

Same echo from the side of his teammates. Omar Rabea, left back, does not hide his admiration for his best friend. "He marks at least one goal per game! He is essential for the team, although he is one year younger than the others. He is an exceptional striker, there are not two like him. I feel relieved when he is on the ground. Because he helps me to forget a little bit about my role of striking : I trust him. We are friends since he arrived at the club. In training camps, we share the same room. I like him because he is honest, but he judge people too quickly. He is rarely irritated, but in these cases, it is better to stay away from him... "

Islam Adel, midfielder, shares the same opinion : "We are like brothers ! He is a very good player, he has a good spirit of football. His presence on the ground helps us to accomplish our tasks. He has a bright future in football".

Principal shortcoming of the player : too personal on the ground. A defect that Diaa el-Sayed seeks to correct. "He is too impulsive. During the games, He tends to rely more on himself than on the team. He is fast and has a fighter spirit. He uses his own solutions". Islam Adel, his teammate, agrees to this opinion, but basically there is nothing unusual : "It is common to all the strikers".

"I have confidence in my ability to overcome the opposing defense", answers Ahmed Mamdouh. "When I'm in the middle of the field, I tell myself that if I take the ball and I head for the cages, it will help the team, even the coach knows that. My defect, I think is mainly the lack of concentration in front of the goal. I have never been scared before a game, except when i join a new group of players".

Ahmed Mamdouh was spotted three years ago by Fathy Mabrouk, a coach at al-Ahly. "He asked me to pass the technical tests at the club and I succeeded. I played for the first time when I was 14 years old and I joined the U-15 team. I remember my first match. There was a draw (1/1). I replaced another player, I scored two goals and we won".

Since then, Ahmed has remained loyal to his club. His future? "If I leave al-Ahly is to go abroad or to stop football. I play for football and for al-Ahly".

This article is written for the french magazine "Foot Africa" (Special Thanks to Guillaume De Dieuleveult)