The Pride Of Egypt
Islam Uthman, Egypt
Goal Click teamed up with Qatar Airways to create a new series telling the inside story of the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup in Qatar – through the eyes and voices of football fans across the Arab world. Fans from Qatar to Oman, Palestine to Egypt, captured their personal experiences during the tournament, demonstrating the passion for football from these communities.
Islam Uthman from Cairo travelled to the tournament to support the Egyptian national team. He told the story of what football means to him and his community, supporting the national team and Al-Ahly, and the big role supporters play in the stadium.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?
My name is Islam Uthman, I'm 36 years old, living in Cairo, Egypt. I grew up in a sports family. My father was an international football referee. He was the best assistant referee in Africa for several years in a row and later appointed as Vice-Chairman of the Referees Committee in the Egyptian Football Association. This created my passion for football. I am a supporter of Al-Ahly Club, “African Club of the Century”. I don't travel regularly to watch the Egyptian national team because it costs a lot of money, but I hope to save some to be able to attend the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Why did you go to Qatar for the FIFA Arab Cup?
I travelled to attend the FIFA Arab Cup as a member of the international fan leader delegation to be at the centre of the action and report the positives and negatives that we observe to the organizing committee so that they can prepare for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Only football can bring together and units 40 people from 29 countries in 5 days, with their different affiliations, cultures and beliefs.
What was your experience at the FIFA Arab Cup?
We got to know everything that could be of interest to a football fan who travels to Qatar. We attended the opening ceremony of the tournament and the opening match. We visited several World Cup stadiums which was an amazing experience, and we enjoyed all the places where ancient Arab heritage was present (and a safari trip in the desert!). At the same time, we saw the other side of Qatar, developed and very modern, but what I personally enjoyed most is the feeling of the convergence of civilizations. When you see cultural diversity from everywhere, you have the feeling that you are in the midst of your family.
How was the experience of watching Egypt play football live in Qatar?
The feeling of watching the Egyptian national team play abroad is a different and amazing feeling, as you have two different feelings at the same time - a feeling of great pride in representing the rest of the Egyptian fans to support your country’s team, but at the same time a feeling of great responsibility that your presence must be the difference for the players and that your voice and enthusiasm is the biggest motivator for them when they hear it echoing everywhere in the stadium. I think that the Egyptian national team can be the champion of the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.
The atmosphere in the stadium is always enthusiastic in an almost indescribable way. Encouraging your national team while you raise your country's flag makes you unable to sit on your seat just to watch. You must support those who play in the name of your country.
And it was interesting to know the difference between the fans supporting in the Gulf and in North Africa, as I noticed that the Qatari fans in the opening match were cheering and celebrating quietly and without clamour, while North African fans, for the first match of Egypt’s national team, cheered madly and did not stop cheering throughout the match. They cannot sit on their seats until the referee blows the final whistle.
What role does football play in your community and Egyptian society?
Football for Egyptians is the only thing that brings together everyone with different tendencies and personalities, and it is the biggest cause of happiness or sadness that you can see in the streets of Egypt.
What does football mean to you? What ambitions do you have for the future?
Football is my life, and it is always a source of happiness. It gave me a lot of people’s and friend’s love inside and outside Egypt. I aspire to study sports management and sports law to support my successful practical experience and reach my dream of working in FIFA and CAF.
Can you tell us more about your support for Al-Ahly?
The most difficult question you can ask a fan of Al-Ahly Club is to ask him to talk about his support for Al-Ahly Club, as he will not stop talking and never getting bored. The principles of the club which you learn are to stick to your morals, not to give up and fight until the last moment, whatever the circumstances. And self-confidence – we are the best in Africa, the best in the Arab world and locally, with the most titles, and the second most crowned club in the world after Real Madrid.
I loved Al-Ahly in my childhood because of the legend Mahmoud Al-Khatib, and it was the most beautiful surprise for me in my life - and I was the happiest person in the world - when I met him when I was 7 years old. I could not believe my eyes that he was Mahmoud Al-Khatib. When I grew up, I wanted to return the favour to him, so I joined his electoral campaign to nominate him as President of the club. I participated in his nomination as President of Al-Ahly.
What did you try to capture with your photos?
I brought a miniature World Cup and my friend in Arab clothes held it as a symbol of Qatar, the host of the World Cup. Everyone extended their hands towards the cup as a sign of the competition of all peoples and all continents to reach this tournament.
