Egypt boss says religious piety important for team
Source: Agencies |
January 16, 2010, Saturday
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EGYPT coach Hassan Shehata wants only players who observe Islam, and says team selection is based equally on religious piety and skill.
Shehata's comments in Egyptian newspapers, show how sports and religion are increasingly mixing in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation of some 80 million.
There are no Christians in the squad defending its title at the African Cup of Nations in Angola.
For years, Egyptian athletes have demonstrated their religious piety in front of fans and the media -- kneeling down to offer a prayer of thanks after scoring or winning, or praying before games. Shehata was quoted by Cairo newspapers as saying skill alone won't guarantee anyone a place on the national team.
He said "pious behavior" was the main category for selection.
"Without it, we will never select any player regardless of his potential," he said. "I always strive to make sure that those who wear the Egypt jersey are on good terms with God."
One newspaper, the independent al-Shorouk, quoted Shehata as saying that striker Ahmed "Mido," on loan from England's Middlesborough to Cairo's Zamalek, was cut after his initial selection because he did not fit the manager's prerequisite for piety.
Mido was cut four days after his selection last month in a surprise decision given that Egypt already was missing through injury Amr Zaki, formerly a striker with England's Wigan, as well as attacking midfielder Mohammed Abu Trekka.
Mido, who enjoys a reputation for hard partying, said he was insulted by his exclusion.
Shehata, a former international midfielder, has not made a secret of the big role religion plays in what he does. He is consistently seen by millions of fans and TV viewers murmuring prayers during games. He often asks supporters to pray for the national side.
Shehata boasted of how he convinced Egypt striker Mohammed Zidan, who plays for the German club Dortmund, to pray.
"I did not like how he used to be aloof and not mix with the rest," Shehata said of Zidan. "I convinced him of the need to pray and how important it is. He has been praying since."
Shehata is looking for his third straight African Cup title after leading six-time champion Egypt to victory in 2006 and 2008. Shehata failed to take Egypt to this year's World Cup finals in South Africa, losing to Algeria 0-1 in a make-or-break decider last year.
Shehata's comments in Egyptian newspapers, show how sports and religion are increasingly mixing in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation of some 80 million.
There are no Christians in the squad defending its title at the African Cup of Nations in Angola.
For years, Egyptian athletes have demonstrated their religious piety in front of fans and the media -- kneeling down to offer a prayer of thanks after scoring or winning, or praying before games. Shehata was quoted by Cairo newspapers as saying skill alone won't guarantee anyone a place on the national team.
He said "pious behavior" was the main category for selection.
"Without it, we will never select any player regardless of his potential," he said. "I always strive to make sure that those who wear the Egypt jersey are on good terms with God."
One newspaper, the independent al-Shorouk, quoted Shehata as saying that striker Ahmed "Mido," on loan from England's Middlesborough to Cairo's Zamalek, was cut after his initial selection because he did not fit the manager's prerequisite for piety.
Mido was cut four days after his selection last month in a surprise decision given that Egypt already was missing through injury Amr Zaki, formerly a striker with England's Wigan, as well as attacking midfielder Mohammed Abu Trekka.
Mido, who enjoys a reputation for hard partying, said he was insulted by his exclusion.
Shehata, a former international midfielder, has not made a secret of the big role religion plays in what he does. He is consistently seen by millions of fans and TV viewers murmuring prayers during games. He often asks supporters to pray for the national side.
Shehata boasted of how he convinced Egypt striker Mohammed Zidan, who plays for the German club Dortmund, to pray.
"I did not like how he used to be aloof and not mix with the rest," Shehata said of Zidan. "I convinced him of the need to pray and how important it is. He has been praying since."
Shehata is looking for his third straight African Cup title after leading six-time champion Egypt to victory in 2006 and 2008. Shehata failed to take Egypt to this year's World Cup finals in South Africa, losing to Algeria 0-1 in a make-or-break decider last year.
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