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It is my intention to contribute to this board with a pictorial series of the Egyptian footballing landscape.
Egypt is the cradle of ancient civilization, the museum of history, and the melting pot for all the greatest civilizations over centuries. On Egypt’s soil, Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic and Islamic civilizations flourished, leaving behind a heritage that dates back to more than 5000 years.
Every inch of its soil tells a story or a legend that has long puzzled and marvelled scientists and intellectuals. Everyday it unravels treasures and secrets of human advancement in many fields that range from astronomy to mummification. On this time-honoured land, arts and sciences have flourished and religions have emerged.
So has the art of football. The game of ball, it is commonly known, dates back to long before the history of most nations on planet earth; to the heart of civilisation and the homeland of the Pharaohs. But as the geography of the world took on more ordered form, and the boundaries defining nations were mapped out in bold, that haphazard kicking around of a ball adopted its own structured modus operandi.
In January and February 2006 Egypt hosted the African Cup of Nations for the fourth time in the history and the organising country invested huge amounts of money to upgrade facilities. Six stadiums in four cities were used for the 32 matches, with the opening match and the final being played at the Cairo International Stadium, that famous cathedral of football.
Generally speaking, Egyptian grounds are like pyramids and mosques, barring the odd fine exception. If you’ve seen one, you have seen them all. There’s the inevitable and dreaded athletics tracks, a semi-covered main stand running three quarters of the pitch, open stands sweeping round the corners only to meat uncovered seating opposite main stand.
The main reason for the oval ground landscape in Egypt is that the vast majority of football clubs are actually omni sports clubs, with football being only one of the activities. The biggest club in the country, Al Ahly, meaning ‘National’ were founded in 1907 hold nineteen sporting branches, including basketball, volleyball, swimming, hockey and squash. Arch rivals Zamalek started out as the Mukhtalat Athletics club in 1911 with an archer still visible in its emblem.
In Cairo the majority of grounds are set in huge parks, some of them dwarfing any Olympic village. The severe safety regulations are almost disencouraging, turning grounds into almost unassailable fortresses. Only members are allowed access and any request to take photographs is met with sheer disbelief and instinctively denied by default to start with. It’s like asking permission to enter a mosque star naked. These pictorial series result from persistency, determination and bluffing a way past a chain of security people, usually ending up in the stadium manager’s office after endless begging, smoking a waterpipe. It’s been close to a fata morgana to eventually capture Egyptian grounds on camera.
Football Grounds Of Cairo & Egypt Pharaonic Series
#3
gary 
- Aston Villa
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- Group: Associates
- Posts: 6,515
- Joined: 20-August 06
Posted 03 September 2007 - 08:49 PM
QUOTE(ThePharao @ Sep 3 2007, 10:28 PM) 
It is my intention to contribute to this board with a pictorial series of the Egyptian footballing landscape.
Egypt is the cradle of ancient civilization, the museum of history, and the melting pot for all the greatest civilizations over centuries. On Egypt’s soil, Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic and Islamic civilizations flourished, leaving behind a heritage that dates back to more than 5000 years.
Every inch of its soil tells a story or a legend that has long puzzled and marvelled scientists and intellectuals. Everyday it unravels treasures and secrets of human advancement in many fields that range from astronomy to mummification. On this time-honoured land, arts and sciences have flourished and religions have emerged.
So has the art of football. The game of ball, it is commonly known, dates back to long before the history of most nations on planet earth; to the heart of civilisation and the homeland of the Pharaohs. But as the geography of the world took on more ordered form, and the boundaries defining nations were mapped out in bold, that haphazard kicking around of a ball adopted its own structured modus operandi.
In January and February 2006 Egypt hosted the African Cup of Nations for the fourth time in the history and the organising country invested huge amounts of money to upgrade facilities. Six stadiums in four cities were used for the 32 matches, with the opening match and the final being played at the Cairo International Stadium, that famous cathedral of football.
Generally speaking, Egyptian grounds are like pyramids and mosques, barring the odd fine exception. If you’ve seen one, you have seen them all. There’s the inevitable and dreaded athletics tracks, a semi-covered main stand running three quarters of the pitch, open stands sweeping round the corners only to meat uncovered seating opposite main stand.
The main reason for the oval ground landscape in Egypt is that the vast majority of football clubs are actually omni sports clubs, with football being only one of the activities. The biggest club in the country, Al Ahly, meaning ‘National’ were founded in 1907 hold nineteen sporting branches, including basketball, volleyball, swimming, hockey and squash. Arch rivals Zamalek started out as the Mukhtalat Athletics club in 1911 with an archer still visible in its emblem.
In Cairo the majority of grounds are set in huge parks, some of them dwarfing any Olympic village. The severe safety regulations are almost disencouraging, turning grounds into almost unassailable fortresses. Only members are allowed access and any request to take photographs is met with sheer disbelief and instinctively denied by default to start with. It’s like asking permission to enter a mosque star naked. These pictorial series result from persistency, determination and bluffing a way past a chain of security people, usually ending up in the stadium manager’s office after endless begging, smoking a waterpipe. It’s been close to a fata morgana to eventually capture Egyptian grounds on camera.
Egypt is the cradle of ancient civilization, the museum of history, and the melting pot for all the greatest civilizations over centuries. On Egypt’s soil, Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic and Islamic civilizations flourished, leaving behind a heritage that dates back to more than 5000 years.
Every inch of its soil tells a story or a legend that has long puzzled and marvelled scientists and intellectuals. Everyday it unravels treasures and secrets of human advancement in many fields that range from astronomy to mummification. On this time-honoured land, arts and sciences have flourished and religions have emerged.
So has the art of football. The game of ball, it is commonly known, dates back to long before the history of most nations on planet earth; to the heart of civilisation and the homeland of the Pharaohs. But as the geography of the world took on more ordered form, and the boundaries defining nations were mapped out in bold, that haphazard kicking around of a ball adopted its own structured modus operandi.
In January and February 2006 Egypt hosted the African Cup of Nations for the fourth time in the history and the organising country invested huge amounts of money to upgrade facilities. Six stadiums in four cities were used for the 32 matches, with the opening match and the final being played at the Cairo International Stadium, that famous cathedral of football.
Generally speaking, Egyptian grounds are like pyramids and mosques, barring the odd fine exception. If you’ve seen one, you have seen them all. There’s the inevitable and dreaded athletics tracks, a semi-covered main stand running three quarters of the pitch, open stands sweeping round the corners only to meat uncovered seating opposite main stand.
The main reason for the oval ground landscape in Egypt is that the vast majority of football clubs are actually omni sports clubs, with football being only one of the activities. The biggest club in the country, Al Ahly, meaning ‘National’ were founded in 1907 hold nineteen sporting branches, including basketball, volleyball, swimming, hockey and squash. Arch rivals Zamalek started out as the Mukhtalat Athletics club in 1911 with an archer still visible in its emblem.
In Cairo the majority of grounds are set in huge parks, some of them dwarfing any Olympic village. The severe safety regulations are almost disencouraging, turning grounds into almost unassailable fortresses. Only members are allowed access and any request to take photographs is met with sheer disbelief and instinctively denied by default to start with. It’s like asking permission to enter a mosque star naked. These pictorial series result from persistency, determination and bluffing a way past a chain of security people, usually ending up in the stadium manager’s office after endless begging, smoking a waterpipe. It’s been close to a fata morgana to eventually capture Egyptian grounds on camera.
This should be very iinteresting, I know nothing of the league structure in Egypt, what is the footballing pyramid?
#4
footloose
- Moon FC
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- Group: Associates
- Posts: 4,538
- Joined: 22-April 05
Posted 03 September 2007 - 08:51 PM
QUOTE(ThePharao @ Sep 3 2007, 10:28 PM)
It is my intention to contribute to this board with a pictorial series of the Egyptian footballing landscape.
Egypt is the cradle of ancient civilization, the museum of history, and the melting pot for all the greatest civilizations over centuries. On Egypt’s soil, Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic and Islamic civilizations flourished, leaving behind a heritage that dates back to more than 5000 years.
Every inch of its soil tells a story or a legend that has long puzzled and marvelled scientists and intellectuals. Everyday it unravels treasures and secrets of human advancement in many fields that range from astronomy to mummification. On this time-honoured land, arts and sciences have flourished and religions have emerged.
So has the art of football. The game of ball, it is commonly known, dates back to long before the history of most nations on planet earth; to the heart of civilisation and the homeland of the Pharaohs. But as the geography of the world took on more ordered form, and the boundaries defining nations were mapped out in bold, that haphazard kicking around of a ball adopted its own structured modus operandi.
In January and February 2006 Egypt hosted the African Cup of Nations for the fourth time in the history and the organising country invested huge amounts of money to upgrade facilities. Six stadiums in four cities were used for the 32 matches, with the opening match and the final being played at the Cairo International Stadium, that famous cathedral of football.
Generally speaking, Egyptian grounds are like pyramids and mosques, barring the odd fine exception. If you’ve seen one, you have seen them all. There’s the inevitable and dreaded athletics tracks, a semi-covered main stand running three quarters of the pitch, open stands sweeping round the corners only to meat uncovered seating opposite main stand.
The main reason for the oval ground landscape in Egypt is that the vast majority of football clubs are actually omni sports clubs, with football being only one of the activities. The biggest club in the country, Al Ahly, meaning ‘National’ were founded in 1907 hold nineteen sporting branches, including basketball, volleyball, swimming, hockey and squash. Arch rivals Zamalek started out as the Mukhtalat Athletics club in 1911 with an archer still visible in its emblem.
In Cairo the majority of grounds are set in huge parks, some of them dwarfing any Olympic village. The severe safety regulations are almost disencouraging, turning grounds into almost unassailable fortresses. Only members are allowed access and any request to take photographs is met with sheer disbelief and instinctively denied by default to start with. It’s like asking permission to enter a mosque star naked. These pictorial series result from persistency, determination and bluffing a way past a chain of security people, usually ending up in the stadium manager’s office after endless begging, smoking a waterpipe. It’s been close to a fata morgana to eventually capture Egyptian grounds on camera.
Egypt is the cradle of ancient civilization, the museum of history, and the melting pot for all the greatest civilizations over centuries. On Egypt’s soil, Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic and Islamic civilizations flourished, leaving behind a heritage that dates back to more than 5000 years.
Every inch of its soil tells a story or a legend that has long puzzled and marvelled scientists and intellectuals. Everyday it unravels treasures and secrets of human advancement in many fields that range from astronomy to mummification. On this time-honoured land, arts and sciences have flourished and religions have emerged.
So has the art of football. The game of ball, it is commonly known, dates back to long before the history of most nations on planet earth; to the heart of civilisation and the homeland of the Pharaohs. But as the geography of the world took on more ordered form, and the boundaries defining nations were mapped out in bold, that haphazard kicking around of a ball adopted its own structured modus operandi.
In January and February 2006 Egypt hosted the African Cup of Nations for the fourth time in the history and the organising country invested huge amounts of money to upgrade facilities. Six stadiums in four cities were used for the 32 matches, with the opening match and the final being played at the Cairo International Stadium, that famous cathedral of football.
Generally speaking, Egyptian grounds are like pyramids and mosques, barring the odd fine exception. If you’ve seen one, you have seen them all. There’s the inevitable and dreaded athletics tracks, a semi-covered main stand running three quarters of the pitch, open stands sweeping round the corners only to meat uncovered seating opposite main stand.
The main reason for the oval ground landscape in Egypt is that the vast majority of football clubs are actually omni sports clubs, with football being only one of the activities. The biggest club in the country, Al Ahly, meaning ‘National’ were founded in 1907 hold nineteen sporting branches, including basketball, volleyball, swimming, hockey and squash. Arch rivals Zamalek started out as the Mukhtalat Athletics club in 1911 with an archer still visible in its emblem.
In Cairo the majority of grounds are set in huge parks, some of them dwarfing any Olympic village. The severe safety regulations are almost disencouraging, turning grounds into almost unassailable fortresses. Only members are allowed access and any request to take photographs is met with sheer disbelief and instinctively denied by default to start with. It’s like asking permission to enter a mosque star naked. These pictorial series result from persistency, determination and bluffing a way past a chain of security people, usually ending up in the stadium manager’s office after endless begging, smoking a waterpipe. It’s been close to a fata morgana to eventually capture Egyptian grounds on camera.
Wot no nudity allowed?
#5
footloose
- Moon FC
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- Group: Associates
- Posts: 4,538
- Joined: 22-April 05
Posted 03 September 2007 - 08:52 PM
QUOTE(gary @ Sep 3 2007, 10:49 PM)
QUOTE(ThePharao @ Sep 3 2007, 10:28 PM)
It is my intention to contribute to this board with a pictorial series of the Egyptian footballing landscape.
Egypt is the cradle of ancient civilization, the museum of history, and the melting pot for all the greatest civilizations over centuries. On Egypt’s soil, Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic and Islamic civilizations flourished, leaving behind a heritage that dates back to more than 5000 years.
Every inch of its soil tells a story or a legend that has long puzzled and marvelled scientists and intellectuals. Everyday it unravels treasures and secrets of human advancement in many fields that range from astronomy to mummification. On this time-honoured land, arts and sciences have flourished and religions have emerged.
So has the art of football. The game of ball, it is commonly known, dates back to long before the history of most nations on planet earth; to the heart of civilisation and the homeland of the Pharaohs. But as the geography of the world took on more ordered form, and the boundaries defining nations were mapped out in bold, that haphazard kicking around of a ball adopted its own structured modus operandi.
In January and February 2006 Egypt hosted the African Cup of Nations for the fourth time in the history and the organising country invested huge amounts of money to upgrade facilities. Six stadiums in four cities were used for the 32 matches, with the opening match and the final being played at the Cairo International Stadium, that famous cathedral of football.
Generally speaking, Egyptian grounds are like pyramids and mosques, barring the odd fine exception. If you’ve seen one, you have seen them all. There’s the inevitable and dreaded athletics tracks, a semi-covered main stand running three quarters of the pitch, open stands sweeping round the corners only to meat uncovered seating opposite main stand.
The main reason for the oval ground landscape in Egypt is that the vast majority of football clubs are actually omni sports clubs, with football being only one of the activities. The biggest club in the country, Al Ahly, meaning ‘National’ were founded in 1907 hold nineteen sporting branches, including basketball, volleyball, swimming, hockey and squash. Arch rivals Zamalek started out as the Mukhtalat Athletics club in 1911 with an archer still visible in its emblem.
In Cairo the majority of grounds are set in huge parks, some of them dwarfing any Olympic village. The severe safety regulations are almost disencouraging, turning grounds into almost unassailable fortresses. Only members are allowed access and any request to take photographs is met with sheer disbelief and instinctively denied by default to start with. It’s like asking permission to enter a mosque star naked. These pictorial series result from persistency, determination and bluffing a way past a chain of security people, usually ending up in the stadium manager’s office after endless begging, smoking a waterpipe. It’s been close to a fata morgana to eventually capture Egyptian grounds on camera.
Egypt is the cradle of ancient civilization, the museum of history, and the melting pot for all the greatest civilizations over centuries. On Egypt’s soil, Pharaonic, Greek, Roman, Coptic and Islamic civilizations flourished, leaving behind a heritage that dates back to more than 5000 years.
Every inch of its soil tells a story or a legend that has long puzzled and marvelled scientists and intellectuals. Everyday it unravels treasures and secrets of human advancement in many fields that range from astronomy to mummification. On this time-honoured land, arts and sciences have flourished and religions have emerged.
So has the art of football. The game of ball, it is commonly known, dates back to long before the history of most nations on planet earth; to the heart of civilisation and the homeland of the Pharaohs. But as the geography of the world took on more ordered form, and the boundaries defining nations were mapped out in bold, that haphazard kicking around of a ball adopted its own structured modus operandi.
In January and February 2006 Egypt hosted the African Cup of Nations for the fourth time in the history and the organising country invested huge amounts of money to upgrade facilities. Six stadiums in four cities were used for the 32 matches, with the opening match and the final being played at the Cairo International Stadium, that famous cathedral of football.
Generally speaking, Egyptian grounds are like pyramids and mosques, barring the odd fine exception. If you’ve seen one, you have seen them all. There’s the inevitable and dreaded athletics tracks, a semi-covered main stand running three quarters of the pitch, open stands sweeping round the corners only to meat uncovered seating opposite main stand.
The main reason for the oval ground landscape in Egypt is that the vast majority of football clubs are actually omni sports clubs, with football being only one of the activities. The biggest club in the country, Al Ahly, meaning ‘National’ were founded in 1907 hold nineteen sporting branches, including basketball, volleyball, swimming, hockey and squash. Arch rivals Zamalek started out as the Mukhtalat Athletics club in 1911 with an archer still visible in its emblem.
In Cairo the majority of grounds are set in huge parks, some of them dwarfing any Olympic village. The severe safety regulations are almost disencouraging, turning grounds into almost unassailable fortresses. Only members are allowed access and any request to take photographs is met with sheer disbelief and instinctively denied by default to start with. It’s like asking permission to enter a mosque star naked. These pictorial series result from persistency, determination and bluffing a way past a chain of security people, usually ending up in the stadium manager’s office after endless begging, smoking a waterpipe. It’s been close to a fata morgana to eventually capture Egyptian grounds on camera.
This should be very iinteresting, I know nothing of the league structure in Egypt, what is the footballing pyramid?
WHERE?
So apart from the Pharoes, the Pyramids, Belly Dancing, Carpets, Pornography, Canals, what have the Egyptians ever given us?
#7 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 03 September 2007 - 09:13 PM
We embark on our Egyptian Fields of Dreams tour in Cairo. Al Qahira is the capital of the Arab Republic of Egypt and is the largest city in Africa. A bird’s eye view of the city would include a skyline that is highlighted with lofty minarets and a large number of high-rising, gigantic floodlights.
Opened in 1958, the Cairo International Stadium has played host to many big matches over the years, including the final of the 1986 African Nations Cup, when Egypt beat Cameroon on penalties and the Fifa under-17 World Championship in 1997. Today the gigantic stadium hosts the majority of home matches of powerhouses Al Ahly and Zamalek, together with the representative matches of the national team.
The stadium is located on Al-Istad Al-Bahary street in the Nasr City District in the south-east of the capital and set in a gigantic park, its majestic floodlights confusingly competing with those of the adjacent training ground, the national hockey stadium, a tennis stadium and a swimming stadium. Floodlight heaven in Cairo.
Its contours seem secluded since almost the entire ground is set in an excavated bowl, with only part of the second tier above ground level. Its official size is 74,100 but at one stage during the first round of the African Nations Cup in 2006, 86,000 are said to have been present for the Egypt vs Morocco clash, with thousands crashing the gates or paying ‘baksheesh’ at the turnstiles, gaining almost free access leaving spectators with valid tickets locked out.
Work had been going on day and night for 18 months until November 2005 to prepare the majestic bowl for the African Cup of Nations at a cost of approximately € 20,000.000, money spent on refurbishing the stands, the provision of vip facilities, creating a mouth watering blue athletics track, electronic gates, in house mosques, an advanced tannoy system, permanent tv and crowd supervision camera’s, etc.
For the opening match against Libya 32,000 police were present to mark the route for President Mubarrak’s visit to the ground with the gates locked at 4pm to enable empty streets for his arrival, marking the colorful and emotional opening ceremony and the 7 pm kick-off .
The crowd were trapped like rats in a cage since the gates were kept locked ‘for safety reasons’. The stairways were blocked with spectators, stewards, police, the army and the stadium security all seemingly operating with their own agenda, void of sensible directives of crowd control.
The stadium bathes in an attractive wavy mixture of mild blue and greyish seats, with the much-debated athletics tracks blending in splendidly. Despite the distant to the pitch the stands provide for an unobstructed and graceful view, the partisan crowd making for a carnavalesque rather than a hostile atmosphere.
At night the Cairo International Stadium transforms from a vivid and bright girl to a sophisticated grand lady, the slender floodlights providing for a romantic, moody and serene scene. The deafening sound gone by the wind, the evening creates a tranquil setting.
The Cairo International Stadium is on par with any other international modern football venue and comfortably competes with any other major ground anywhere in the world, fit to stage any major sporting event.
Opened in 1958, the Cairo International Stadium has played host to many big matches over the years, including the final of the 1986 African Nations Cup, when Egypt beat Cameroon on penalties and the Fifa under-17 World Championship in 1997. Today the gigantic stadium hosts the majority of home matches of powerhouses Al Ahly and Zamalek, together with the representative matches of the national team.
The stadium is located on Al-Istad Al-Bahary street in the Nasr City District in the south-east of the capital and set in a gigantic park, its majestic floodlights confusingly competing with those of the adjacent training ground, the national hockey stadium, a tennis stadium and a swimming stadium. Floodlight heaven in Cairo.
Its contours seem secluded since almost the entire ground is set in an excavated bowl, with only part of the second tier above ground level. Its official size is 74,100 but at one stage during the first round of the African Nations Cup in 2006, 86,000 are said to have been present for the Egypt vs Morocco clash, with thousands crashing the gates or paying ‘baksheesh’ at the turnstiles, gaining almost free access leaving spectators with valid tickets locked out.
Work had been going on day and night for 18 months until November 2005 to prepare the majestic bowl for the African Cup of Nations at a cost of approximately € 20,000.000, money spent on refurbishing the stands, the provision of vip facilities, creating a mouth watering blue athletics track, electronic gates, in house mosques, an advanced tannoy system, permanent tv and crowd supervision camera’s, etc.
For the opening match against Libya 32,000 police were present to mark the route for President Mubarrak’s visit to the ground with the gates locked at 4pm to enable empty streets for his arrival, marking the colorful and emotional opening ceremony and the 7 pm kick-off .
The crowd were trapped like rats in a cage since the gates were kept locked ‘for safety reasons’. The stairways were blocked with spectators, stewards, police, the army and the stadium security all seemingly operating with their own agenda, void of sensible directives of crowd control.
The stadium bathes in an attractive wavy mixture of mild blue and greyish seats, with the much-debated athletics tracks blending in splendidly. Despite the distant to the pitch the stands provide for an unobstructed and graceful view, the partisan crowd making for a carnavalesque rather than a hostile atmosphere.
At night the Cairo International Stadium transforms from a vivid and bright girl to a sophisticated grand lady, the slender floodlights providing for a romantic, moody and serene scene. The deafening sound gone by the wind, the evening creates a tranquil setting.
The Cairo International Stadium is on par with any other international modern football venue and comfortably competes with any other major ground anywhere in the world, fit to stage any major sporting event.
#8 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 03 September 2007 - 09:31 PM
QUOTE(gary @ Sep 3 2007, 10:49 PM)
This should be very interesting, I know nothing of the league structure in Egypt, what is the footballing pyramid?
The Egyptian equivalent to the Premier League is the 'Momtaz', and comprises of sixteen teams, mainly from Cairo, The Delta (including Alexandria and Mahallah), Suez Canal area (Port Saïd, Ismailia, Suez), and the odd team from the Nile borders, namely Aluminium Naq Hammadi, recently promoted.
http://www.angelfire...ullarchive.html
The feeder leagues to the Momtaz for 2007/08 are two 'second divisions', one from Upper Egypt (Aswan, Red Sea area and the Nile) and one from Lower Egypt (Cairo, The Delta and Suez Canal area)
Both second divisions comprise of fifteen teams with the champion gaining direct promotion.
The feeder leagues to the second division are two 'third divisions', again from Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt.
#9 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 04 September 2007 - 04:21 PM
Some seven miles up the road from Cairo International Stadium, heading for Cairo International Airport, we hit the Cairo Military Academy Stadium at the far end of Orouba Street in the north-eastern Heliopolis district of Cairo. The top tier from the nearby cake walking spaghetti-junction provides a spectacular birds eye view from the ground if not obstructed by the occasional overtaking taxi or pick-up truck.
Locally known as Estad El Koleya El Harbeya it holds approx 30,000 and was built in 1989 for the use of military teams and students at the military academy. The stadium hosted a plethora of matches for the African Cup of Nations in 2006, including the infamous encounter between Drogba’s Ivory Coast and Eto’o’s Cameroon that ended in an almost unprecedented penalty series. The ground accommodated home games of Al Ahly and Zamalek during the refurbishing of the Cairo International Stadium and occasionally still serves to stage matches of the old foes.
Unfortunately the stadium, set in the mind boggling huge premises of the buzzing metropolis’ military academy, conjures up visions of a soulless and uninviting concrete bowl with only a small roof extension serving as a cover for the main stand. On demand, during matches rent-a-crowd military cadets serve as ground-fillers in addition to the sparse paying spectators for football matches.
Irrespective of the stadium name one encounters safety measures that baffle the eye and common sense. TV gantries are set up on escape routes, obstructing safe movement within the ground and army and security people seem more concerned about their own free pathways and view than those of paying visitors. With morbid precision beyond belief people are being ordered by security forces to literally climb over spectators who in their turn block the view from the stairways.
Fences and security people are here to cage you in like animals. The overwhelming presence of police, army and security forces make for an intimidating and extremely inhospitable atmosphere.
Any sheer incompetent and responsible body in charge should be obliged to take knowledge of the evaluation of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in Sheffield, England, causing the death of almost a hundred hapless souls.
Only a stampeding crowd with resulting casualties may knock some sense into the stadium’s irresponsible bodies. Or rather ignite to have the ditch that surrounds the pitch filled with piranha’s and crocodiles by senseless authorities to create an even more hostile decorum.
The unimaginative Cairo Military Academy Stadium may serve as a showpiece to demonstrate governmental and dictatorial muscle power, it’s certainly doesn’t qualify as a display of the proverbial unrivalled Egyptian hospitality.
Locally known as Estad El Koleya El Harbeya it holds approx 30,000 and was built in 1989 for the use of military teams and students at the military academy. The stadium hosted a plethora of matches for the African Cup of Nations in 2006, including the infamous encounter between Drogba’s Ivory Coast and Eto’o’s Cameroon that ended in an almost unprecedented penalty series. The ground accommodated home games of Al Ahly and Zamalek during the refurbishing of the Cairo International Stadium and occasionally still serves to stage matches of the old foes.
Unfortunately the stadium, set in the mind boggling huge premises of the buzzing metropolis’ military academy, conjures up visions of a soulless and uninviting concrete bowl with only a small roof extension serving as a cover for the main stand. On demand, during matches rent-a-crowd military cadets serve as ground-fillers in addition to the sparse paying spectators for football matches.
Irrespective of the stadium name one encounters safety measures that baffle the eye and common sense. TV gantries are set up on escape routes, obstructing safe movement within the ground and army and security people seem more concerned about their own free pathways and view than those of paying visitors. With morbid precision beyond belief people are being ordered by security forces to literally climb over spectators who in their turn block the view from the stairways.
Fences and security people are here to cage you in like animals. The overwhelming presence of police, army and security forces make for an intimidating and extremely inhospitable atmosphere.
Any sheer incompetent and responsible body in charge should be obliged to take knowledge of the evaluation of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in Sheffield, England, causing the death of almost a hundred hapless souls.
Only a stampeding crowd with resulting casualties may knock some sense into the stadium’s irresponsible bodies. Or rather ignite to have the ditch that surrounds the pitch filled with piranha’s and crocodiles by senseless authorities to create an even more hostile decorum.
The unimaginative Cairo Military Academy Stadium may serve as a showpiece to demonstrate governmental and dictatorial muscle power, it’s certainly doesn’t qualify as a display of the proverbial unrivalled Egyptian hospitality.
#11 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 05 September 2007 - 09:34 PM
On the immense scale of Heliopolisin north-west Cairo, El Shams Club is only a stone throne away from Estad El Koleya El Harbeya; or as the birds fly, only a few flapping of the wings.
The doorman at El Shams Club is the impersonation of the Greek mythological creature Cerberus and the emblematic omen of any doorman at any Egyptian ground or stadium whose instructions not to allow anyone in seems default. A standard procedure, perfected almost to fine art by the die-hards among overzealous gatekeepers.
The severe safety regulations are almost discouraging, turning grounds into almost unassailable fortresses. Only members are allowed access and any request to take photographs is met with sheer disbelief and instinctively denied. It feels like asking permission to enter a mosque star naked.
Eventually capturing Egyptian grounds on camera is a result of sheer persistence, determination and bluffing a way past a chain of security people, usually ending up in the stadium manager’s office after endless begging. It’s been close to a fata morgana to manage these pictorial series.
Metaphorically speaking, Egyptian grounds are like pyramids and mosques. If you’ve seen one, you have seen the majority, barring the odd fine exception.
Once inside a stadium one eyes the inevitable and dreaded athletics tracks, a semi-covered main stand running three quarters of the pitch and open stands sweeping round the corners only to meet uncovered seating opposite main stand. The main reason for the oval ground landscape in Egypt is that the vast majority of football clubs are actually omni sports clubs, with football being only one of the activities. The archetypal Estad El Shams in Cairo is no exception by all means.
The doorman at El Shams Club is the impersonation of the Greek mythological creature Cerberus and the emblematic omen of any doorman at any Egyptian ground or stadium whose instructions not to allow anyone in seems default. A standard procedure, perfected almost to fine art by the die-hards among overzealous gatekeepers.
The severe safety regulations are almost discouraging, turning grounds into almost unassailable fortresses. Only members are allowed access and any request to take photographs is met with sheer disbelief and instinctively denied. It feels like asking permission to enter a mosque star naked.
Eventually capturing Egyptian grounds on camera is a result of sheer persistence, determination and bluffing a way past a chain of security people, usually ending up in the stadium manager’s office after endless begging. It’s been close to a fata morgana to manage these pictorial series.
Metaphorically speaking, Egyptian grounds are like pyramids and mosques. If you’ve seen one, you have seen the majority, barring the odd fine exception.
Once inside a stadium one eyes the inevitable and dreaded athletics tracks, a semi-covered main stand running three quarters of the pitch and open stands sweeping round the corners only to meet uncovered seating opposite main stand. The main reason for the oval ground landscape in Egypt is that the vast majority of football clubs are actually omni sports clubs, with football being only one of the activities. The archetypal Estad El Shams in Cairo is no exception by all means.
#12
bcfc dave
- Bristol City
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- Group: Associates
- Posts: 211
- Joined: 24-April 07
Posted 05 September 2007 - 10:42 PM
This looks like a fascinating thread Pharoah, thanks for taking the time to post. I will read it fully when I have a little more time to absorb the details.
I visited Cairo in summer 2000 and could not believe the scale, heat and intensity of the city. Gazing upon, and indeed entering, the great Pyramids was a truly awesome experience and the historical treasures were stunning, beautiful beyond my wildest expectations.
I also took the 8 hour overnight train each way from/to Luxor (even hotter ... 46 C in the shade!!). Sadly I visited no football grounds while in Egypt, but the one I saw at a distance from a taxi in Luxor looked dreadful !
Looking forward to your next instalment !
I visited Cairo in summer 2000 and could not believe the scale, heat and intensity of the city. Gazing upon, and indeed entering, the great Pyramids was a truly awesome experience and the historical treasures were stunning, beautiful beyond my wildest expectations.
I also took the 8 hour overnight train each way from/to Luxor (even hotter ... 46 C in the shade!!). Sadly I visited no football grounds while in Egypt, but the one I saw at a distance from a taxi in Luxor looked dreadful !
Looking forward to your next instalment !
#13 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 06 September 2007 - 06:50 PM
Travelling back from Heliopolis to Nasr City, one miniscule pixel on the map of Cairo in Google Earth, one giant leap for driving mankind, the Osman Ahmed Osman Stadium beckons. This huge ground is named after the holding company of the construction firm Arab Contractors, formerly guised as Moqawiloon, who play their home games here, together with tenants ENNPI, a gas and petrol consortium, both from the Egyptian Momtaz.
The stadium is located in the south-east of the capital and constructed on top of a hill, locally known as the Green Mountain (El Gabal El Akhdar). It can be spotted from almost anywhere in Cairo with huge floodlights scraping the moon. Speaking of El Gabal El Akhdar, capturing the Osman Ahmed Osman Stadium on celluloid is yet another huge mountain to climb.
Eventually, the stadium manager is brought into the limelight and being reminded of the decade’s ultimate shock Egyptian Cup exit in the second round by Moqawiloon at the hands of a certain third division that put on an heroic display to win 1-2 on a memorable Cairo night on 5 December 2004. The names El Gouna FC and Haytham Hussein Hassan Mohamed, formerly with Arab Contractors suddenly reveal the whitest set of teeth and Osman Ahmed Osman’s gates open like the Red Sea once parted for Moses.
The oval shaped grounds’ unique asset is the yellow ochre and green second tier, divided into sections on top of the lower green and yellow ochre bottom tier, leaving for large open gaps to cause treacherous windy conditions at such heights. The gigantic open and barely covered main stand seems to have alienated itself from its surroundings.
Its alleged capacity ranges from 35,000 to 60,000, with 45,000 probably a more accurate figure. The stadium accommodates four star hotel facilities for the home and away team on top of the main stand, providing for a breathtaking view of the interior of the ground and Cairo’s impressive skyline.
Regardless of its spaciousness and its quaint main stand curiously disjointed from the rest of the ground the Ahmed Osman Ahmed stadium is clearly one of the better venues in Egypt.
The stadium is located in the south-east of the capital and constructed on top of a hill, locally known as the Green Mountain (El Gabal El Akhdar). It can be spotted from almost anywhere in Cairo with huge floodlights scraping the moon. Speaking of El Gabal El Akhdar, capturing the Osman Ahmed Osman Stadium on celluloid is yet another huge mountain to climb.
Eventually, the stadium manager is brought into the limelight and being reminded of the decade’s ultimate shock Egyptian Cup exit in the second round by Moqawiloon at the hands of a certain third division that put on an heroic display to win 1-2 on a memorable Cairo night on 5 December 2004. The names El Gouna FC and Haytham Hussein Hassan Mohamed, formerly with Arab Contractors suddenly reveal the whitest set of teeth and Osman Ahmed Osman’s gates open like the Red Sea once parted for Moses.
The oval shaped grounds’ unique asset is the yellow ochre and green second tier, divided into sections on top of the lower green and yellow ochre bottom tier, leaving for large open gaps to cause treacherous windy conditions at such heights. The gigantic open and barely covered main stand seems to have alienated itself from its surroundings.
Its alleged capacity ranges from 35,000 to 60,000, with 45,000 probably a more accurate figure. The stadium accommodates four star hotel facilities for the home and away team on top of the main stand, providing for a breathtaking view of the interior of the ground and Cairo’s impressive skyline.
Regardless of its spaciousness and its quaint main stand curiously disjointed from the rest of the ground the Ahmed Osman Ahmed stadium is clearly one of the better venues in Egypt.
#14 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 11 September 2007 - 08:25 PM
Fetishists who visit Arab Contactor’s stadium for the first time will not only be baffled by its huge floodlights but also stupefied by a set of stunning counterparts further up on the road.
It makes one’s heart go ticking anxiously like one approaches the sea and can hear only the thundering sound of rolling waves but not yet see. There’s no other alternative than quicken one’s pace when descending El Gabal El Akhdar only to find one running down the street with enticing floodlights in sight, tempting like the sound of luring Sirens from Greek mythology tales.
The floodlights are the guardian angels of the Railway Stadium, home to Al Sekka Al Hadid in Nasr City, allegedly the oldest organised football club of Egypt. The informal game of ball had long held its place on the nation’s streets and alleyways. The history of Egyptian “football” goes back to 1882, the beginning of British occupation of Egypt, the English being the creators of the structured form of play. Military camps of the occupying forces spread around the Arab region and so too did the game. Given their place as the creators of this structured form of play, apparently the English were keen to spread game around the world.
In 1903, the Al Sekka Al Hadid Club formed the first football team, comprised mainly of British and Italian engineers working in the maintenance workshops affiliated to the railway authorities of the time. Despite claims that Al-Sekka Al-Hadid is the oldest Egyptian club, Gezira were established by the British in 1882 under the name El-Khedive.
The Railway Stadium is another oval affair, the massive floodlights overshadowing open and sweeping stands, holding approximately 30,000, with the home team, dwindling in the doldrums below the Momtaz since the early Nineties, attracting merely a few hundred for their games.
One accesses the ground from the buzzing square in Nasr City that serves as one of the cities traffic aortas to hit a quaint balcony type stand behind the goal, backing on to a swimming pool. From here the floodlights from El Gabal El Akhdar can be spotted. The tantalizing agony of it all. A second access point is a slipway just around the corner leading on to the cinder track even by private car. Once inside the reception of the grounds man is heart warming to they the least. Home sweet home. If Mariska Veres, the lady lead singer of the Dutch pop group Shocking Blue had visited Al Sekka Al Hadid she’d never written ‘Never Marry a Railroad Man’ with which song she and her band men stormed the USA charts back in the flower power days.
The cute main stand with its high roof, barely covering the back seats only, is the centrepiece of the Railway Stadium. From here seated stands curl around the pitch with respectable distance, separating the audience with iron fences that conjure up visions of the Berlin Wall or its Chinese pendant for that matter. Only athletes with a vaulting pole would manage a pitch invasion from the stands.
Al Sekka Al Hadid’s pitch would easily qualify for the sandbox of any long jump contest. Yet, the ground has a pleasant feel to it. One feels home at the oldest club of the country. If only Mariska Veres would have had the privilege.
It makes one’s heart go ticking anxiously like one approaches the sea and can hear only the thundering sound of rolling waves but not yet see. There’s no other alternative than quicken one’s pace when descending El Gabal El Akhdar only to find one running down the street with enticing floodlights in sight, tempting like the sound of luring Sirens from Greek mythology tales.
The floodlights are the guardian angels of the Railway Stadium, home to Al Sekka Al Hadid in Nasr City, allegedly the oldest organised football club of Egypt. The informal game of ball had long held its place on the nation’s streets and alleyways. The history of Egyptian “football” goes back to 1882, the beginning of British occupation of Egypt, the English being the creators of the structured form of play. Military camps of the occupying forces spread around the Arab region and so too did the game. Given their place as the creators of this structured form of play, apparently the English were keen to spread game around the world.
In 1903, the Al Sekka Al Hadid Club formed the first football team, comprised mainly of British and Italian engineers working in the maintenance workshops affiliated to the railway authorities of the time. Despite claims that Al-Sekka Al-Hadid is the oldest Egyptian club, Gezira were established by the British in 1882 under the name El-Khedive.
The Railway Stadium is another oval affair, the massive floodlights overshadowing open and sweeping stands, holding approximately 30,000, with the home team, dwindling in the doldrums below the Momtaz since the early Nineties, attracting merely a few hundred for their games.
One accesses the ground from the buzzing square in Nasr City that serves as one of the cities traffic aortas to hit a quaint balcony type stand behind the goal, backing on to a swimming pool. From here the floodlights from El Gabal El Akhdar can be spotted. The tantalizing agony of it all. A second access point is a slipway just around the corner leading on to the cinder track even by private car. Once inside the reception of the grounds man is heart warming to they the least. Home sweet home. If Mariska Veres, the lady lead singer of the Dutch pop group Shocking Blue had visited Al Sekka Al Hadid she’d never written ‘Never Marry a Railroad Man’ with which song she and her band men stormed the USA charts back in the flower power days.
The cute main stand with its high roof, barely covering the back seats only, is the centrepiece of the Railway Stadium. From here seated stands curl around the pitch with respectable distance, separating the audience with iron fences that conjure up visions of the Berlin Wall or its Chinese pendant for that matter. Only athletes with a vaulting pole would manage a pitch invasion from the stands.
Al Sekka Al Hadid’s pitch would easily qualify for the sandbox of any long jump contest. Yet, the ground has a pleasant feel to it. One feels home at the oldest club of the country. If only Mariska Veres would have had the privilege.
#15 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 12 September 2007 - 08:10 PM
Had Joe Cocker been an Egyptian crooner from days gone by the lump in his throat would have produced the wonderful isle of Zamalek when singing ‘Cry Me A River’.
Set in the river Nile, Zamalek conjures up visions of the old banlieueus of Paris and the exquisite grandeur of Prague. Peculiarly enough, Zamalek, more specifically the Gezirah district, is the spiritual home of centennial Al Ahly.
The origins of Al Ahly coincide with the nation’s uncomfortable feeling of pressure of British occupation of Egypt, the sentiments bundled by Egypt’s patriotic leader, Mustafa Kamel. A charismatic figure, who became instrumental in the birth of the club, initially a semi-political sporting stronghold for the revolutionary establishment much to the chagrin of the occupying body.
Irrespective of the British efforts to nullify Al Ahly, the club became the new spirit for Egyptians, the people and the nation, its motto echoing the strong belief to try to achieve the imposible. Allegedly, the club has become a national icon as a club from the people for the people. The recent ticket touting scam preceding the Ahly vs Barcelona match coinciding with the centennial festivities has put a whole new perspective to the so-called theme of ‘people credo’.
Their original ground is called Mukhtar El Tetsh and only the main stand remains. The Mukhtar Al-Tetsh premises today serve as an omni-sports complex. The stadium allegedly held 25,000 people during the days Al Ahly played there. The reason given not to allow pictures being taken was officially stated as ‘the structure will be knocked down’. Anyone who visits
http://www.ahlyegypt.com/english/ and hits the ‘100 year button’ will understand the logic of it all…
Set in the river Nile, Zamalek conjures up visions of the old banlieueus of Paris and the exquisite grandeur of Prague. Peculiarly enough, Zamalek, more specifically the Gezirah district, is the spiritual home of centennial Al Ahly.
The origins of Al Ahly coincide with the nation’s uncomfortable feeling of pressure of British occupation of Egypt, the sentiments bundled by Egypt’s patriotic leader, Mustafa Kamel. A charismatic figure, who became instrumental in the birth of the club, initially a semi-political sporting stronghold for the revolutionary establishment much to the chagrin of the occupying body.
Irrespective of the British efforts to nullify Al Ahly, the club became the new spirit for Egyptians, the people and the nation, its motto echoing the strong belief to try to achieve the imposible. Allegedly, the club has become a national icon as a club from the people for the people. The recent ticket touting scam preceding the Ahly vs Barcelona match coinciding with the centennial festivities has put a whole new perspective to the so-called theme of ‘people credo’.
Their original ground is called Mukhtar El Tetsh and only the main stand remains. The Mukhtar Al-Tetsh premises today serve as an omni-sports complex. The stadium allegedly held 25,000 people during the days Al Ahly played there. The reason given not to allow pictures being taken was officially stated as ‘the structure will be knocked down’. Anyone who visits
http://www.ahlyegypt.com/english/ and hits the ‘100 year button’ will understand the logic of it all…
#16 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 16 September 2007 - 08:37 PM
Crossing The Nile westbound from the isle of Zamalek means breaking the sound barrier of yet another Cairo Cacophony. The area of Mohandessin, more precisely the Mit Okba district, saw the rise of omni Zamalek Sporting Club in 1911, allegedly under the guise of Kasr-El Nil, at a time British army teams, college teams, Al Sekka Al Hadeed and Al Ahly dominated the football scene in fascinating Cairo.
They became known as the Al Mokhtalat Club until 1941. The ‘Farouk’ stigma would follow, only to be re-branded in the now household name Zamalek in the wake of the 1952 revolution. Irrespective of the name changes, Mohamed Hassan Helmi, who took the ‘Zamora’ nickname from Spanish goalkeeping legend Ricardo Zamora Martinez, will always live in the hearts of Zamelkawy as an iconic synonym for their beloved club.
He ran the club’s presidency for three terms in the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties of the previous millennium and is still renowned for his strong leadership abilities, professionalism and innovative skills. It therefore will come as no surprise that the club’s home soil is named after this heroic and charismatic character.
Unfortunately, Zamalek’s cradle, has been bereft of its end stands and floodlights in the course of 2005. In its heydays, the ground would have accommodated at least 30,000 self-acclaimed bohemians and free-thinkers, or maybe even aristocrats. However, what is left is a two-sided venue, meticulously maintained to accommodate athletes and to serve as the club’s office and training facilities.
The neat and covered main stand, its colours representing the club’s sartorial saga, is neighboured by two uncovered and smaller look-a-likes. Newly erected tiny floodlights not only obscure free view from the stands but also illuminate the familiar athletics tracks that reflect almost any Egyptian ground lay-out.
Opposite the main stand, uncovered seating, equally equipped with horrendous floodlights, and once embraced by the end stands, complete what is now an amputated venue. Regardless of its present state, Helmi Zamora’s spirit will always be synonymous to the club’s and it’s supporters’ morale.
They became known as the Al Mokhtalat Club until 1941. The ‘Farouk’ stigma would follow, only to be re-branded in the now household name Zamalek in the wake of the 1952 revolution. Irrespective of the name changes, Mohamed Hassan Helmi, who took the ‘Zamora’ nickname from Spanish goalkeeping legend Ricardo Zamora Martinez, will always live in the hearts of Zamelkawy as an iconic synonym for their beloved club.
He ran the club’s presidency for three terms in the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties of the previous millennium and is still renowned for his strong leadership abilities, professionalism and innovative skills. It therefore will come as no surprise that the club’s home soil is named after this heroic and charismatic character.
Unfortunately, Zamalek’s cradle, has been bereft of its end stands and floodlights in the course of 2005. In its heydays, the ground would have accommodated at least 30,000 self-acclaimed bohemians and free-thinkers, or maybe even aristocrats. However, what is left is a two-sided venue, meticulously maintained to accommodate athletes and to serve as the club’s office and training facilities.
The neat and covered main stand, its colours representing the club’s sartorial saga, is neighboured by two uncovered and smaller look-a-likes. Newly erected tiny floodlights not only obscure free view from the stands but also illuminate the familiar athletics tracks that reflect almost any Egyptian ground lay-out.
Opposite the main stand, uncovered seating, equally equipped with horrendous floodlights, and once embraced by the end stands, complete what is now an amputated venue. Regardless of its present state, Helmi Zamora’s spirit will always be synonymous to the club’s and it’s supporters’ morale.
#17 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 23 September 2007 - 08:54 PM
Helmi Zamora’s premises would have physically touched Tersana’s Mit Okba if it hadn’t been for the dual carriageway separating the ground twins in Mohandessin.
The blue and white homely Mit Okba hosts Tersana, being the Arabic equivalent for Arsenal. The term ‘arsenal’ connotes was military activities. Tersana were originally founded by those working in the shipbuilding industry in Cairo. Some of those ships might have been built for military purposes and hence the association with the name Arsenal.
The blue and white colours are related to marine activity and, voila, also the ship’s anchor in the club’s emblem is accounted for. For some obscure and undisclosed reason it is not appreciated to take a photograph of the club’s emblem so here we go:
Interesting of note is that earlier, in the 12th century, the district of Rhoda in Cairo had a major shipbuilding yard, like there was a major shipbuilding yard in Cairo in the Boulaq district in the 18th, 19th and early 20th century. There was also a shipping yard opposite to what is now known as Mahatet Masr, the Egypt’s Railway Station in Ramses Square, during the Fatimids era around the 10th century, as the Nile River used to reach this area before changing course by time.
Tersana’s nickname is “shawakeesh” which is a slang plural for “shakoosh” or “hammer”, so essentially they are nicknamed “The Hammers”, which is another connotation to the manual labour of the founders.
Mit Okba is set in a carefully nursed botanical dream; a secluded asylum in a colourful arboretum.
The elevated main stand and its uncovered neighbouring stands in this blue and white heaven are being distinguished from Zamalek’s Helmi Zamora by its modest roof structure and bright blue colours.
The only other structure at this venue, holding approximately 10,000, can be found opposite the main stand. Peculiarly enough the ground is void of floodlights and the home team are destined to play away from Mit Okba when they meet other teams for evening kick-offs.
Here’s a closer look:
Irrespective of the absence of end stands Mit Okba is a delightful small ground, almost idyllic. One intriguing part of the ground has been closed for safety reasons and its this section that calls for a picknick on a lazing sunny afternoon. Please switch your mobile off when entering Mit Okba and appreciate the sound of humming birds, far from the maddening crowd. Mit Okba, the delicate silence of a screaming day.
The blue and white homely Mit Okba hosts Tersana, being the Arabic equivalent for Arsenal. The term ‘arsenal’ connotes was military activities. Tersana were originally founded by those working in the shipbuilding industry in Cairo. Some of those ships might have been built for military purposes and hence the association with the name Arsenal.
The blue and white colours are related to marine activity and, voila, also the ship’s anchor in the club’s emblem is accounted for. For some obscure and undisclosed reason it is not appreciated to take a photograph of the club’s emblem so here we go:
Interesting of note is that earlier, in the 12th century, the district of Rhoda in Cairo had a major shipbuilding yard, like there was a major shipbuilding yard in Cairo in the Boulaq district in the 18th, 19th and early 20th century. There was also a shipping yard opposite to what is now known as Mahatet Masr, the Egypt’s Railway Station in Ramses Square, during the Fatimids era around the 10th century, as the Nile River used to reach this area before changing course by time.
Tersana’s nickname is “shawakeesh” which is a slang plural for “shakoosh” or “hammer”, so essentially they are nicknamed “The Hammers”, which is another connotation to the manual labour of the founders.
Mit Okba is set in a carefully nursed botanical dream; a secluded asylum in a colourful arboretum.
The elevated main stand and its uncovered neighbouring stands in this blue and white heaven are being distinguished from Zamalek’s Helmi Zamora by its modest roof structure and bright blue colours.
The only other structure at this venue, holding approximately 10,000, can be found opposite the main stand. Peculiarly enough the ground is void of floodlights and the home team are destined to play away from Mit Okba when they meet other teams for evening kick-offs.
Here’s a closer look:
Irrespective of the absence of end stands Mit Okba is a delightful small ground, almost idyllic. One intriguing part of the ground has been closed for safety reasons and its this section that calls for a picknick on a lazing sunny afternoon. Please switch your mobile off when entering Mit Okba and appreciate the sound of humming birds, far from the maddening crowd. Mit Okba, the delicate silence of a screaming day.
#18 Guest_parkerspiece_*
Posted 23 September 2007 - 10:59 PM
Wow..this really is becoming one of the epic threads of the FGG message board!
Like the great Nile itself, its scale and granduer will never cease to amaze us..
Thanks for making the effort Pharoa.
NB Seeing the pics posted here has given me a business idea..
I am off to Egypt to sell crush barriers
Like the great Nile itself, its scale and granduer will never cease to amaze us..
Thanks for making the effort Pharoa.
NB Seeing the pics posted here has given me a business idea..
I am off to Egypt to sell crush barriers
#19 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 24 September 2007 - 09:20 PM
QUOTE(parkerspiece @ Sep 24 2007, 01:59 AM)
Wow..this really is becoming one of the epic threads of the FGG message board!
Like the great Nile itself, its scale and granduer will never cease to amaze us..
Thanks for making the effort Pharoa.
NB Seeing the pics posted here has given me a business idea..
I am off to Egypt to sell crush barriers
Like the great Nile itself, its scale and granduer will never cease to amaze us..
Thanks for making the effort Pharoa.
NB Seeing the pics posted here has given me a business idea..
I am off to Egypt to sell crush barriers
Thank you for these kind comments. We'll soon be leaving Cairo to embark on a tour through the Delta and along the Suez Canal to see the likes of Golden Maadi, Borg El Arab, Itthad and Haras El Hadood from Alexandria, El Masry from Port Saïd and Ismailya from Ismaili.
#20 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 24 September 2007 - 09:29 PM
The Desert Road between Cairo and Alexandria roughly begins at Gizeh where the baffling pyramids sculpture the world’s most fascinating horizon. The Desert Road marks the west boundaries of The Delta on its far edge. To the right there’s the fascinating sight of lush green and parading palm trees, sculpturing the second horizon of intriguing Egypt. To the left there is, well, sand, and sand, sculpturing yet another horizon Egypt is renowned for.
Halfway the desert road one hits Medinet al Sadat, Sadat City, in an area locally known as Fayoum. It is home to a mediocre club called Maaden, transformed to Goldi Maaden at the turn of the millennium after a take-over by the owner of the Egyptian counterpart of Philips. Their Momtaz dream would last a few years only.
Maaden’s ground is a sheer insult to symbolic pyramids and symbolic palm trees . It is horizon pollution with not one single aspect worthy of note. The ground perfectly blends in with its unimaginative surroundings; dusty and bleak. The architect must have had a bad hair day or been assigned to create an eyesore beyond belief.
Maaden’s ground is an uninviting concrete ellipse, or maybe even just a bomb crater, mistakingly taken for a football venue. It’s a dull affair from every angle. Open to the elements with not one roof in sight, it serves as a pathetic and pretentious statement to the megalomania of rich opportunists.
To picture the hapless local Premier League scene this ground is also home to recently promoted Etisalat (prime telecommunications and internet provider), a company team with no home in Cairo.
Halfway the desert road one hits Medinet al Sadat, Sadat City, in an area locally known as Fayoum. It is home to a mediocre club called Maaden, transformed to Goldi Maaden at the turn of the millennium after a take-over by the owner of the Egyptian counterpart of Philips. Their Momtaz dream would last a few years only.
Maaden’s ground is a sheer insult to symbolic pyramids and symbolic palm trees . It is horizon pollution with not one single aspect worthy of note. The ground perfectly blends in with its unimaginative surroundings; dusty and bleak. The architect must have had a bad hair day or been assigned to create an eyesore beyond belief.
Maaden’s ground is an uninviting concrete ellipse, or maybe even just a bomb crater, mistakingly taken for a football venue. It’s a dull affair from every angle. Open to the elements with not one roof in sight, it serves as a pathetic and pretentious statement to the megalomania of rich opportunists.
To picture the hapless local Premier League scene this ground is also home to recently promoted Etisalat (prime telecommunications and internet provider), a company team with no home in Cairo.
#22 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 26 September 2007 - 09:41 PM
We leave Madinet El Nasr and continue our Pharaonic ground tour in the Delta to visit a venue that never was but will be. We are in Borg El Arab, a suburb of Alexandria, home to the unfinished and immensely huge 80,000 capacity Borg El Arab stadium, originally constructed for Egypt's bid to host the 2010 FiFa World Cup. Since the bid did not materialize Borg El Arab was destined to become a venue for the African Cup of Nations in 2006.
Although built completely by the Egyptian Armed Forces Engineer Branch work was still under way when he tournament ended as if to underline Egypt’s incompetence for 2010. It’s a shame really because it is a fantastic ground that would have been the perfect setting for any final of the World Cup 2010. As a consolation, the Borg El Arab Stadium is expected to to be an alternative venue for the Egyptian National Football Team and to annually host the final matches of the Egyptian Cup as the Wembley of Africa.
Although built completely by the Egyptian Armed Forces Engineer Branch work was still under way when he tournament ended as if to underline Egypt’s incompetence for 2010. It’s a shame really because it is a fantastic ground that would have been the perfect setting for any final of the World Cup 2010. As a consolation, the Borg El Arab Stadium is expected to to be an alternative venue for the Egyptian National Football Team and to annually host the final matches of the Egyptian Cup as the Wembley of Africa.
#23 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 27 September 2007 - 08:49 PM
Alexandria, the Pearl of the Mediterranean, lies 225 kilometers from Cairo and hosts two major football stadiums. The second largest city and the main port of Egypt was built by the Greek architect Dinocrates (332-331 BC) on the site of an old village, Rhakotis, at the orders of Alexander the Great. The city, immortalizing Alexander's name, quickly flourished into a prominent cultural, intellectual, political, and economic metropolis, the remains of which are still evident to this day.
It was the renowned capital of the Ptolemies, with numerous monuments. It was the site of the Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as the Great Library. It was along these shores that history took a tragic turn at the time of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Octavian.
Alexandria lies north west of the Nile delta and stretches along a narrow land strip between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mariut (Mareotis). It is linked to Cairo by two major highways and a railroad line. It is one of the most notable summer resorts in the Middle East, for, in addition to its temperate winters, its beaches, with white sands and magnificent scenery, stretch for 140 km along the Mediterranean Sea, from Abu Qir, in the east to Al-Alamein and Sidi Abdul Rahman, in the west.
Alexandria is home to Estad Eskanderia, the oldest and finest stadium in the country, its tenants the extremely popular local club Itthad, meaning ‘Union’. The ground was originally built at the beginning of the 20th century to accommodate the Mediterranean Games, which never materialised at the time, and hosted first round matches in the 1986 Nations Cup.
It was the renowned capital of the Ptolemies, with numerous monuments. It was the site of the Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, as well as the Great Library. It was along these shores that history took a tragic turn at the time of Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Octavian.
Alexandria lies north west of the Nile delta and stretches along a narrow land strip between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Mariut (Mareotis). It is linked to Cairo by two major highways and a railroad line. It is one of the most notable summer resorts in the Middle East, for, in addition to its temperate winters, its beaches, with white sands and magnificent scenery, stretch for 140 km along the Mediterranean Sea, from Abu Qir, in the east to Al-Alamein and Sidi Abdul Rahman, in the west.
Alexandria is home to Estad Eskanderia, the oldest and finest stadium in the country, its tenants the extremely popular local club Itthad, meaning ‘Union’. The ground was originally built at the beginning of the 20th century to accommodate the Mediterranean Games, which never materialised at the time, and hosted first round matches in the 1986 Nations Cup.
#24 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 27 September 2007 - 08:55 PM
Claustrophobically set in the Hay Charg district of the city, its turnstiles boasts mahogany and oak wood panel doors with the stands resembling any archetype Greek Olympic Stadium, calling for Chariots of Fire, Ben Hur and classic football drama. Its seating capacity is 19,676, the majority taking up at each home game of Itthad. Walking around Estad Eskanderia one feels one is about to enter an old Greek theatre with the quaintest of stands reminiscing romantic remnants from British horse racing tracks. One actually does.
The Alexandria Stadium for once reflected the proverbial local hospitality, symbolized by the magnificent grandeur of the stadium manager’s office:
The Alexandria Stadium for once reflected the proverbial local hospitality, symbolized by the magnificent grandeur of the stadium manager’s office:
#25 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 16 November 2007 - 07:56 PM
A 25 kilometer drive by traditional tram from the Alexandria city centre brings us to the 22,000 capacity purpose-built and unimaginative brand new Max Stadium in the buzzing district of the same name. It is home to The Border Guards Military team, locally known as Haras El Haddood, playing at top level in Egypt.
Peculiarly enough the ground has an athletics track with almost 90 degree corners in order to create a rectangular shape with British flavour. However, although its shape being unique to Egyptian standards, the ground lacks any atmosphere and with roofs void on three parts it isn’t a particularly distinctive ground. Take away the roofs of any Lego ground and you end up in the Max district of Alexandria.
Peculiarly enough the ground has an athletics track with almost 90 degree corners in order to create a rectangular shape with British flavour. However, although its shape being unique to Egyptian standards, the ground lacks any atmosphere and with roofs void on three parts it isn’t a particularly distinctive ground. Take away the roofs of any Lego ground and you end up in the Max district of Alexandria.
#26
gary
- Aston Villa
-
- Group: Associates
- Posts: 6,515
- Joined: 20-August 06
Posted 16 November 2007 - 11:31 PM
QUOTE(ThePharao @ Sep 11 2007, 10:25 PM)
Fetishists who visit Arab Contactor’s stadium for the first time will not only be baffled by its huge floodlights but also stupefied by a set of stunning counterparts further up on the road.
We have a forumista, Parkerspiece, who would be just such a person!
#27
Railway End
- Coleraine
-
- Group: Associates
- Posts: 248
- Joined: 02-February 07
Posted 17 November 2007 - 07:59 PM
The last grond there has a rather odd athletics track around it.
It appears to be of an oval, but rather a rectangular with rounded croners.
It appears to be of an oval, but rather a rectangular with rounded croners.
#28 Guest_parkerspiece_*
Posted 19 November 2007 - 03:36 PM
QUOTE(Railway End @ Nov 17 2007, 09:59 PM)
The last grond there has a rather odd athletics track around it.
It appears to be of an oval, but rather a rectangular with rounded croners.
It appears to be of an oval, but rather a rectangular with rounded croners.
Hence the line..
QUOTE
Peculiarly enough the ground has an athletics track with almost 90 degree corners in order to create a rectangular shape with British flavour.
#30 Guest_ThePharao_*
Posted 20 November 2007 - 08:48 PM
Port Said lies some 200km away from Cairo and is located on the meeting point between Africa and Asia. The origins of Port Said are that of a working camp founded in 1859 by Said Pasha to house men working on the Suez Canal. By the late 19th century, it was an important port where all the major maritime powers had consulates. Much of the city was built on a section of Lake Manzala which was reclaimed by landfill. Port Said still reflects yesteryear’s tranquil pace and one feels one is strolling what was once a prestigious maritime stronghold with the gentle wind sweeping in from Asia.
Located on 23 of July Street and opened in 1954 we find the 24,060 all-seater Bur Saïd Stadium, home to the biggest local club, El Masry.
Bearing the viewing distance from one of the open curved end stands in mind The Binocular Stadium would have been a more appropriate name for this dreadful bowl, open to whatever elements and with grid-iron fences that dwarf the Maginot Line, the Berlin Wall and any Thai prison for that matter.
The stadium has hosted some official and friendly matches of the national team and was refurbished for the Fifa under-17 World Championship.
Located on 23 of July Street and opened in 1954 we find the 24,060 all-seater Bur Saïd Stadium, home to the biggest local club, El Masry.
Bearing the viewing distance from one of the open curved end stands in mind The Binocular Stadium would have been a more appropriate name for this dreadful bowl, open to whatever elements and with grid-iron fences that dwarf the Maginot Line, the Berlin Wall and any Thai prison for that matter.
The stadium has hosted some official and friendly matches of the national team and was refurbished for the Fifa under-17 World Championship.