The Egyptian wrestling team has been hit by a wave of defections, with several athletes fleeing abroad in search of better opportunities and financial stability. The latest cases involve 19-year-old Ziad Hajjaj Abu Gabal and 23-year-old Mohamed al-Shami, who disappeared from the team camp at the 2026 Under-20 World Wrestling Championships in Slovakia and while transiting through Rome, respectively.
Both athletes took to social media to explain their decisions, citing poverty and the financial struggles they faced in Egypt. Abu Gabal wrote on Facebook, “I did this so I could see myself as a man. I won’t go back to Egypt, my beloved country, until I bring it honour.” Al-Shami also expressed his desire to earn money for his family, saying “At a certain point I felt my father was exhausted, that life had become too hard for him.”
- Ziad Hajjaj Abu Gabal and Mohamed al-Shami are the latest Egyptian wrestlers to flee abroad.
- Both athletes cited poverty and financial struggles as the reasons for their decision.
- Egyptian wrestlers often earn low monthly salaries, with those under 20 years old earning around 700-800 Egyptian pounds ($13.7-$15.7) per month.
Egyptian Wrestling Team Crisis
The Egyptian wrestling team has been plagued by defections in recent years, with several athletes choosing to represent other countries. Ahmed Baghdouda, Tarek Abdel Salam, and Ibrahim Ghanem are just a few examples of wrestlers who have switched their sporting nationality due to alleged medical neglect, low pay, and lack of support.
Mohamed Ibrahim el-Sayed, a six-time African champion, is also reportedly switching his sporting nationality to the US. The 27-year-old wrestler who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity stated that “Wrestlers often go into debt to cover supplements and living costs while waiting for prize money that may or may not arrive.”
Financial Struggles and Debt
The financial struggles faced by Egyptian wrestlers are a major contributing factor to the crisis. With low monthly salaries and limited support, many athletes are forced to take on debt to cover their expenses. The 27-year-old wrestler who spoke to Al Jazeera explained that “older international players reportedly receive between 5,000 pounds ($98.2) and 12,000 pounds ($235.7) a month, depending on their achievements.” However, this is not always the case, and many wrestlers are left struggling to make ends meet.
Seeking Better Opportunities Abroad
For many Egyptian wrestlers, seeking better opportunities abroad is seen as the only way to escape the financial struggles and lack of support they face in Egypt. France and Bulgaria are just two countries that have attracted Egyptian wrestlers in recent years, with athletes such as Ahmed Baghdouda and Tarek Abdel Salam choosing to represent these countries instead of Egypt.
As the Egyptian wrestling team continues to struggle with defections and financial crisis, it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the situation. For now, athletes such as Ziad Hajjaj Abu Gabal and Mohamed al-Shami are taking matters into their own hands, seeking better opportunities and financial stability abroad. You can find more news and updates on Watan News.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Egyptian wrestling team is facing a major crisis, with several athletes fleeing abroad in search of better opportunities and financial stability. The financial struggles and lack of support faced by Egyptian wrestlers are major contributing factors to the crisis, and it remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to the situation.
Q1: What is the main reason for the defections of Egyptian wrestlers?
A1: The main reason for the defections of Egyptian wrestlers is the financial struggles and lack of support they face in Egypt, with many athletes earning low monthly salaries and being forced to take on debt to cover their expenses.
Q2: Which countries have attracted Egyptian wrestlers in recent years?
A2: France and Bulgaria are just two countries that have attracted Egyptian wrestlers in recent years, with athletes such as Ahmed Baghdouda and Tarek Abdel Salam choosing to represent these countries instead of Egypt.
Q3: How much do Egyptian wrestlers under 20 years old earn per month?
A3: Egyptian wrestlers under 20 years old earn around 700-800 Egyptian pounds ($13.7-$15.7) per month.
Q4: What is the response of the Egyptian authorities to the crisis?
A4: The response of the Egyptian authorities to the crisis is not yet clear, but it is likely that they will take measures to address the financial struggles and lack of support faced by Egyptian wrestlers.
Q5: What is the impact of the crisis on the Egyptian wrestling team?
A5: The crisis has had a significant impact on the Egyptian wrestling team, with several athletes fleeing abroad and the team facing a major crisis in terms of talent and morale.
Q6: How can the crisis be resolved?
A6: The crisis can be resolved by addressing the financial struggles and lack of support faced by Egyptian wrestlers, as well as providing better opportunities and support for athletes to develop their skills and compete at the international level.
