The Egyptian Basketball Federation (EBF), led by President Amr Mosleh, hosted a special celebration for Global Basketball Day, in collaboration with the NBA’s Cairo office. The event took place yesterday at the prestigious Al-Zohour Club, marking a significant occasion for basketball enthusiasts across the country.
Honoring Basketball Legends
The celebration was attended by a host of prominent figures, including Amr Mosleh, President of the Egyptian Basketball Federation, Mohamed El-Damardash, President of Al-Zohour Club, and board members of the EBF, including Mohamed Fathi, Ayman Ali, Mohamed Ehab Mohsen, Ahmed El-Sharkawy, and Nira Anwar, who played a central role in organizing the event. Additionally, the event saw the participation of Mahmoud El-Helo, EBF Executive Director, and Yasmine Helal, NBA Egypt’s Director of Planning and Operations.
The gathering brought together Egypt’s rising basketball talents, particularly youth and junior players, for a series of technical sessions led by NBA coaches. These sessions provided invaluable insights into the fundamentals of the game while highlighting the importance of skill development. The event also included a ceremony honoring Egyptian basketball icons and Al-Zohour Club for their exceptional contributions to the sport.
A Tribute to Egyptian Basketball Icons
The event recognized numerous basketball pioneers, including Abdul Hamid Masoud, Honorary President of the African Basketball Confederation (FIBA Africa), Sayed Soliman Salwa, former player of Al-Ahly and the Egyptian national team, and Fathi Kamel, former star of the Egyptian national team. The ceremony also celebrated Nevine Akl, a former player for the Egyptian national team, Salah El-Din Abdel Wahab, one of Egypt’s oldest basketball coaches, Khaled Hussein, Head of the Basketball Department at Al-Zohour Club, and Sayed Mostafa Mostafa, head coach of Al-Zohour’s men’s basketball team.
Empowering the Next Generation of Basketball Stars
Speaking at the event, Amr Mosleh expressed his joy at hosting such a momentous celebration, highlighting the important role that the NBA Egypt office plays in fostering the growth of basketball in Egypt. He emphasized the need for youth to become exemplary figures in sports and reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to supporting emerging talents, ensuring they have the necessary resources to develop their skills and represent Egypt on the global stage.
Nira Anwar, a board member of the EBF, also extended her gratitude to Al-Zohour Club’s officials, especially Mohamed El-Damardash, as well as NBA Egypt’s leadership, for their collaboration in organizing an event that both introduced young players to basketball and motivated them to continue practicing the sport. She further emphasized that this event serves as the beginning of a broader strategy to expand basketball’s reach in Egypt. Anwar expressed confidence that the enthusiasm of the youth participants would ignite a new era for the Egyptian Basketball Federation.
A Bright Future for Egyptian Basketball
This event represents a crucial step toward enhancing the profile of basketball in Egypt, both domestically and internationally. With a strong focus on nurturing young talent, it also reflects the Federation’s ongoing efforts to develop a larger base of basketball players. The collaboration between the Egyptian Basketball Federation and NBA Egypt underscores a shared commitment to building the sport’s infrastructure, increasing participation, and promoting basketball as a powerful tool for personal and community development.
As Egypt continues to invest in its athletic future, events like Global Basketball Day serve as pivotal moments to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of basketball players who will lead the charge on both national and international stages.