April 2009

  
   

Wadi Degla Soccer Stars: Celebrating the Promotion

Celebration filled the Wadi Degla soccer stadium after the 2-0 win against El Hadid Wel Solb which resulted in the advancement of Wadi Degla’s 1st Team to the 2nd Division League; a dream the team, staff & Wadi Degla employees have been long waiting for.
The team ended the season 14 points ahead of 2nd place occupier El Shareya lel Dokhan, a new record for Wadi Degla that gave the win & advancement an additional taste of accomplishment.
We had the following interviews with several stars and figures who contributed to this great achievement.

Capt. Ali Abo Greisha

Capt. Ali Abo Greisha, Wadi Degla’s Football Manager, expressed his utter happiness at the advancement to the 2nd Division League thanking everyone who assisted in this extraordinary achievement especially Capt. Hisham Zakareya. The team was well prepared for the challenge and went through two training camps one at the beginning of the league and another right before the round of 16 to keep the team in form & improve the team’s performance. Then he continued saying that the 1st team stands out from other teams in the league because they never lost any of the home games played during the whole duration of the league and also started to have quite an enthusiastic fan base who attend the matches regularly.
When asked about changes that the team will experience now that they have advanced to the 2nd Division League, Capt. Ali Abo Greisha responded: “The team needs to be up to 2nd Division League standards so we’ll have to let go some of the lower performing players and go on with the negotiations with some African players especially that we’ll be playing against relegated teams from the 1st Division League.”

Capt. Hisham Zakareya

When asked about the First Team’s promotion to the 2nd Division, Wadi Degla’s Technical Coach, Capt. Hisham Zakareya responded saying:” I thank God for this accomplishment and I truly thank the management & Capt. Ali Abo Greisha who supported us along this bumpy road until we reached our target.” Then he continued: “The toughest competitors this season were probably El Ayat, Almaza, El Tasnea, El Elameyeen & El-Badrasheen since the wins in those games came in the closing minutes of the matches. Players who got famous over the years are treated equally just like all the other team members and it will stay that way even when we get new additions to the team because all that matters is the performance on the field. During the coming period we’ll be negotiating several transfers; about 10 to 15 of our current players will be staying and another 10 new players will be joining us soon.”

Ramy Serag

The talented Ramy Serag, Wadi Degla’s 1st team keeper who was voted one of the top players last season and one of the main reasons Wadi Degla made it into the 2nd Division League, stated that this great accomplishment is his 2nd of the same kind since he was playing for El Shark Lel Taamin 2 seasons ago before joining Wadi Degla when they also advanced to the 2nd Division League as well.

Mohamed Moustafa “Bougy”

Bougy, one of the first players to start out at Wadi Degla ever since season 2006/2007 when the team was still playing in the 4th Division League, said:” I cannot say enough how happy I am about finally advancing to the 2nd Division League although we did deserve to be promoted last season but certain problems with the referees & unfairness on their part denied this advancement & Sokkar El Hawamdeya were promoted. This in fact made us more motivated and eager to come first this season.”

Barakat Mahmoud

 The right winger Barakat Mahmoud said:” I am very happy to be part of this great win, but we’ll have to prepare ourselves for the next phase where competition is fierce in the 2nd Division.”

Mohamed Abdel Hamid “Keryako”

Keryako, Wadi Degla’s midfielder expressed his joy at the achievement & the club saying:” I will never leave Wadi Degla under any circumstance in the near future, although I received several offers during the last season which I refused because I was certain of our win & promotion to the 2nd Division. I would also like to thank everyone especially the coaching staff for believing in me which was expressed in my participation in all the matches.”  

Abo Bakr Zakareya

“Wadi Degla certainly deserved the promotion which was visible in the great 14 points difference between us & competitors as well as securing the promotion to the 2nd Division League 4 weeks prior to the end of the League. We know exactly how the competition will be in the 2nd Division and we also know that we’re up to it.”

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Moustafa Zakzouk: Discipline is the Key

 

Wadi Degla’s 1st soccer team made a great achievement last season by coming in 1st place and advancing to the 2nd Division League, marking a new milestone for the team. Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk, Managing Director & Vice President of Wadi Degla Football Company, tells us about the factors behind that accomplishment & the team’s upcoming challenge and preparations in the following interview.

What do you think of the achievement of Wadi Degla’s First Team in advancing to the 2nd Division League?

Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk: This is an extraordinary achievement that was possible through discipline and hard work. Statistically our First Team also made another amazing achievement by having a total of 71 points, a record that no other team in the 2nd or even 1st Division Leagues was able to break. Our next challenge will be advancing to the 1st Division League, which will most likely take more than one season to do.

What was the toughest moment for the team last season?

Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk: The toughest moment was when our 1st Team was defeated early in the league by El Shareya Lel Dokhan.

What was the advice you gave the players?

Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk: We had weekly meetings with the players, Capt. Ali Abo Greisha and sometimes Eng. Maged Samy would attend.  Capt. Aly would give team members technical advice whereas I was constantly reminding them not to argue with the referee.

What do you think of the team’s performance last season?

Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk: It was shaky after the loss against Esco but afterwards we we’re flaming with energy & enthusiasm.

Should we expect any foreign players to be transferred to the 1st team?

Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk: Yes, after advancing to the 2nd Division League we’re considering the transfer of Brohmes, Henry & Babalola whom we have placed in Ebshway for the time being, there are some negotiations with local players from El-Tersana club, El-Masry, El-Etisalat & El-Ahly’s junior team.

Who, in your opinion was the best player last season?

Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk: The midfielders Keryako & Abo Bakr Zakareya, the keeper Ramy Serag, the striker Ramy El-Maleh & right winger Barakat.

What are the changes that we’ll see in the next season?

Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk: Although the current season is not over, we’ve already put down the blueprints for next season. We plan on refurbishing changing rooms, cafeterias & soccer pitches to be fit to host 2nd Division League matches. The Arsenal Soccer School will be separated from the Junior Teams and will be under the management of Wadi Degla Sporting Clubs whereas the Junior Teams will be under the management of Wadi Degla Football Company.

What do you think is the main reason for the advancement of the First Team?

Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk: Discipline is the primary factor leading to our accomplishment, and of course the great management & coaching of Capt. Hisham Zakareya.

What’s your plan to help Wadi Degla Football Company grow in the European industry?

Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk: We’re depending on our wide base of junior players from our 4 JMG Academies, Wadi Degla’s Junior Teams & Wadi Degla Ebshway. We plan to have Ebshway play in the junior team competitions to discover young talents.

Tell us about Lierse and their progress in the Belgian Cup.

Eng. Moustafa Zakzouk: Lierse is considered Wadi Degla’s front and should therefore progress to the Belgian 1st Division League although many players haven’t been in form lately. Wadi Degla Football Company is currently working on finding other players who would add more quality to the team maybe even from the Egyptian market in order to strengthen our Belgian squad.                                                                                 

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Wadi Degla's Tennis Team Outbreak at the National Championship

Wadi Degla’s Ferrero Tennis Academy players achieved remarkable results at the National Tennis Championship that took place in Wadi Degla Sporting Club featuring fierce competition and exciting world class tennis.

Results of the U-10 team:

  • Youssef Amr Mokhtar – 2nd place (Silver Medal)
  • Adham Ibrahim Gaber – 3rd place (Bronze Medal)

Results of the U-18 team:

  • Mennat Allah Mahmoud El Gendy – 1st place (Gold Medal)
  • Mohamed Ashraf Ouf – 1st place (Gold Medal)
  • Seif El Din El-Sherbiny – 3rd place (Bronze Medal)

 

Results of the Men’s team:

    • Mohamed Safwat Ayman – 1st place (Gold Medal)

     

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Wadi Degla's Swimming Team Dominates the Egyptian Cup

At the Egyptian Swimming Cup that took place during April 2009 Wadi Degla dominated the various competitions, adding several medals to its trophy cabinet.

Results of the U-11 team:

  • 7th place overall for the boys’ team
  • 9th place overall for the girls’ team

Individual records:

Hana Hany:

  • 1st place & Gold Medal at 200 m Backstroke competition
  • 2nd place & Silver Medal at 50 m Backstroke competition
  • 2nd place & Silver Medal at 100 m Backstroke competition
  • 4th place at 200 m Freestyle competition
  • 6th place at 50 m Freestyle competition

Mohamed Abdo Maamoun:

  • 2nd place & Silver Medal at 200 m Backstroke competition
  • 4th place at 200 m both Backstroke & Freestyle competitions
  • 6th place at 100 m Backstroke competition

Individual results of the U-12 team:

Dana Khaled:

  • 1st place & Gold Medal at 200 m Butterfly competition
  • 1st place & Gold Medal at 50 m Butterfly competition
  • 2nd place & Silver Medal at 400 m Freestyle competition
  • 2nd place & Silver Medal at 100 m Butterfly competition
  • 4th place at 200 m Backstroke competition
  • 7th place at 200 m Butterfly competition of the open age challenge

Mohamed Adel Abbas:

  • 4th place at 200 m Freestyle, Butterfly & Varied swimming competitions
  • 5th place at 100 m Butterfly competition
  • 8th place at 400 m Freestyle competition

Amr Karim Moustafa:

  • 8th place at 100 m Freestyle competition

Individual results of the U-14 team:

Mennat Allah Hamed:

  • 5th place at 100 m & 200 m Backstroke competition
  • 8th place at 200 m Freestyle competition in the open age challenge

 

Wadi Degla’s swimming teams are under the supervision of Technical Coach Capt. Mohamed Youssef who is assisted by Capt. Wael El-Tafesh & Capt. Hassan Arafa.

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Wadi Degla's Squash Team Stand Out at League & National Championship

Wadi Degla’s Squash team – under the supervision of Omar El Borolossy; winner of 2 World team titles, 12 PSA titles and 8 Egyptian National titles – collected great wins at the games played on the 10th & 11th of April 2009 against El Gezirah & El Zohur Club in the Egyptian League.

Wadi Degla vs. El Gezirah

  • Wadi Degla’s U-11 Men’s team won 4/1
  • Wadi Degla’s U-13 Men’s team won 3/0
  • Wadi Degla’s U-13 Women’s team won 3/0

Wadi Degla vs. El Zohur

  • Wadi Degla’s U-11  team won 3/2
  •  Wadi Degla’s U-13 Men’s team won 3/0
  • Wadi Degla’s U-13 Women’s team won 3/0
  • Wadi Degla’s Senior team won 5/0

The game against El Gezirah was attended by Eng. Maged Samy; Chairman of Wadi Degla Investment Co., Eng. Maged Helmy; Chairman of Wadi Degla Sporting Clubs, Hany Fouad; the Club’s Treasurer, Dr. Alaa Gabr Board of Directors Consultant & Eng. Ayman Anis, Vice Chairman of Wadi Degla Sporting Clubs.
During the League games played on the 23rd & 24th of April 2009, the Borolossy Professional Squash Team that consists of Karim Darwish, Omar El-Borolossy, Mazen Gamal, Natalie Grinham & Laila Omar defeated both Semouha & El-Shams Club 4-1. 
Wadi Degla also achieved great results at the National Championship that took place in March 2009 on the courts of the Cairo Stadium. Outcomes were as follows:

  • Youssef Ibrahim – 1st place at U-11 competition
  • Nadine Kotb – 2nd place at U-11 competition
  • Youssef Mohamed – 3rd place at U-13 competition

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Lierse in 2nd Place at League

At the end of the current season of the Belgian 2nd Division League, Lierse acquired 2nd place after a 3-2 win over O.Charleroi with only a week to go in the League and a 5 point gap to 1st place occupiers Sint Truiden. In order to advance to the Belgian 1st Division League, Lierse will have to go through a knockout tournament where the 2nd to the 5th place occupiers of the league will be competing. The winner of this tournament will play against the teams occupying 15th & 16th place of the 1st Division League whereas the winner will be promoted to the 1st Division.

Lierse miss out on Cup Final

 At a sold out stadium on the 22nd of April Lierse lost the 2nd leg of their Cofidis Cup semi-final 1-4 against Racing Genk.
In the first 10 minutes Genk immediately tried to take control of the game which they did pressing forward deep into Lierse’s territory. Soon Lierse was in command, wasting several chances; a shot from Radzinski, a header from Cavens and a shot from Wahed in the side netting.
At the start of the 2nd half Lierse saw their dream of reaching the final slip away in the first 10 minutes; De Mul scored after an unfortunate intervention from Camacho 0-1, swiftly followed by Huysegems scoring from close range 0-2. In the last 20 minutes Lierse picked up the pace through a good shot from the substitute Nikolic that was saved by Verhulst. The goal came 5 minutes from time via substitute Janssens who drove the ball home after a good assist by Cavens 1-2. Lierse went on full attack onwords, but the first counter from Genk resulted, in Genk’s 3rd goal via Huysegems making the score 1-3. In injury time De Mul added another goal increasing the score to 1-4.
With this defeat, Lierse’s Cup chase comes to an end but still proved to be strong competitors knocking out 1st division teams Bergen and Dender and beating Cup sensations Racing Mechelen but not strong enough for Genk.

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Wadi Degla's Gymnastics Team in 1st Place

In the Cairo District Competitions that took place in Maadi Sporting Club, Wadi Degla’s Under 8 Gymnastics team outperformed themselves gaining top places at the competition.

1st place & Gold Medal in the Double Eurhythmic competition was awarded to:

  • Shadw Samy Hassan & Hager Ayman El-Shafey

1st place & Gold Medal in the Triple Eurhythmic competition was awarded to:

  • Habiba Mohamed Marzouk
  • Nouran Ashraf Abo El-Dahab
  • Jana Mohamed El-Hadary

Wadi Degla’s Gymnastics team is under the supervision of Capt. Elena Lzriva & Technical Coach Capt. Howaida Hamdy, who commented on the team’s performance saying: “Our young players have certainly deserved the win today which was made possible through discipline & training.

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