The Pharaohs’ Olympic qualification is the most prominent achievement of Abdel Moneim El-Hajj on the second anniversary of his passing today.
libyawire.org > News > Sport > The Pharaohs’ Olympic qualification is the most prominent achievement of Abdel Moneim El-Hajj on the second anniversary of his passing today.
Today, Wednesday, marks the second anniversary of the passing of the former club president, football association council member, and former coach of the Egyptian national team, who passed away on this day, December 31, 2023. He was one of the sons of the game. His football journey began in the youth teams of Zamalek, where he was part of a generation alongside stars like Mohamed Refai, Nabil Naseer, and Ahmed Mostafa, playing as a right-back. He progressed through various age groups and levels until he reached Zamalek’s first team, playing two friendly matches with them before joining Tersana SC. There, he was part of a golden generation that included El-Shazly, Mustafa Riyad, and El-Dahshoury Harb, contributing to winning the league shield once and the Egypt Cup twice.
The Moment of Retirement and Turning to Coaching
In 1971, he announced his retirement and moved into coaching, working as a coach for El-Shams Club and Arab Contractors Club. He later obtained a coaching course in Germany. He assumed the position of technical director for the Egyptian national team in 1980, leading the team to qualify for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. He also led the team in the African Nations Cup finals in Nigeria the same year, where Egypt came very close to reaching the tournament final, narrowly losing to Algeria on penalties. In 1981, he worked as the technical director for Al-Rayyan SC in Qatar, winning the league shield and the cup with them. He was later appointed as the technical director for the Arab national team. He then moved into the administrative field, serving as a member of the Egyptian Football Association in 1990. In 1993, he was elected president of Tersana SC, a position he held until 1998. After that, he served as head of the Cairo region, head of the Coaches Committee, deputy of the Sports Professions Syndicate, and finally as director of the Professional Sports Education Institute.
Train station
Zamalek
Zamalek is an affluent, leafy district located on Gezira Island in the Nile River within Cairo, Egypt. Historically developed in the 19th century, it became a prestigious residential area for foreign diplomats and elites, and today it is known for its cultural venues like the Cairo Opera House and the Gezira Sporting Club.
Tersana SC
Tersana SC is a historic Egyptian sports club based in Giza, founded in 1921. It is best known for its football team, which was a dominant force in Egyptian football in the mid-20th century, winning the Egyptian Premier League title five times.
El-Shams Club
El-Shams Club is a historic sports and social club located in Cairo, Egypt, founded in 1921. It was established during a period of burgeoning national identity and has served as a prominent venue for athletics, particularly swimming and tennis, for over a century.
Arab Contractors Club
The Arab Contractors Club is a prominent sports and social club in Cairo, Egypt, established by the Osman Ahmed Osman company. It was founded in the 1970s and is closely associated with the historic Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.) construction firm, one of the largest in the Middle East. The club is famous for its football team, which has been a significant competitor in Egyptian and African tournaments.
Germany
Germany is a country in Central Europe with a complex history, having been a collection of states until unification in 1871. It was central to both World Wars, followed by division during the Cold War, and reunified in 1990 to become a leading economic and political power in the European Union. Its cultural landscape is marked by historic cities, castles, and significant contributions to philosophy, music, and science.
Moscow Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, held in Moscow, were the first Games to take place in a socialist country. The event was heavily boycotted by over 60 nations, led by the United States, in protest of the Soviet Union’s 1979 invasion of Afghanistan.
Nigeria
Nigeria is a country in West Africa with a rich history shaped by ancient kingdoms like the Nri and Benin, British colonization in the 19th and 20th centuries, and independence achieved in 1960. It is Africa’s most populous nation and is renowned for its diverse cultures, vibrant arts, and significant economic influence on the continent.
Algeria
Algeria is a North African country with a rich history shaped by ancient Berber kingdoms, Roman rule, and centuries as a core province of the Ottoman Empire. It was colonized by France in the 19th century before gaining independence in 1962 after a protracted war of liberation. Today, its cultural heritage includes numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Roman ruins of Timgad and the historic Casbah of Algiers.
Al-Rayyan SC
Al-Rayyan SC is a prominent Qatari professional sports club based in the city of Al-Rayyan, primarily known for its highly successful football team. Founded in 1967, it is one of the oldest and most decorated clubs in the country, having won numerous Qatar Stars League titles and domestic cups throughout its history.
Qatar
Qatar is a sovereign country located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. Historically a pearling and fishing community, it transformed dramatically following the discovery of oil and natural gas in the mid-20th century, becoming one of the world’s wealthiest nations per capita. Its capital, Doha, is now a modern global hub known for sites like the Museum of Islamic Art and its role as host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Egyptian Football Association
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) is the governing body for football in Egypt, founded in 1921. It is one of the oldest football associations in Africa and has been a member of FIFA since 1923 and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since 1957. The EFA organizes domestic competitions and oversees the Egypt national team, which has won a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles.
Cairo
Cairo is the sprawling capital of Egypt, founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty near ancient sites like the Pyramids of Giza. It is a historic center of the Islamic world, famed for landmarks such as the Al-Azhar Mosque and the medieval Cairo Citadel.
Sports Professions Syndicate
The Sports Professions Syndicate is a professional union in Egypt, historically established to represent and protect the rights of athletes, coaches, and other sports professionals. It plays a key role in regulating sports-related careers and has been involved in advocacy and labor issues within the Egyptian sports industry since its foundation.
Professional Sports Education Institute
The Professional Sports Education Institute is a specialized training facility designed to develop athletes and sports professionals through advanced coaching and academic programs. It typically combines practical sports training with theoretical education in areas like sports science, management, and medicine. Such institutes have a modern history, emerging prominently in the late 20th century as sports became increasingly professionalized and systematized globally.
