A list of the most popular sports in Egypt: The history of sports in the country

Egypt is an African nation famous for its ancient civilisation, the beautiful pyramids of Giza, and the pharaoh monuments that have existed for thousands of years. The African country has also excelled in sports that have united the nation for years. So, what are the most popular sports in Egypt today?

The most famous sports in Egypt include football/soccer, basketball, volleyball, and squash. The country has produced some of the world's top athletes in the disciplines. Egyptians also love tennis, handball, and athletics. This article highlights more about the top games and sports in Egypt and why they are popular in the nation.

Ancient sports in Egypt

Ancient Egyptians played different sports for fun as part of their lifestyle and culture. The traditional sports in Egypt included wrestling, weightlifting, long jump, swimming, rowing, shooting, fishing, and athletics. Egyptian foreigners established clubs in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

The legendary Angelo Bolanaki (an Alexandrian citizen of Greek origin) helped organise international championships for local clubs to get exposed between 1908 and 1910. He was the first Egyptian athlete to participate in international sports competitions.

After retirement, Bolanaki established the Egyptian Olympic Committee on 13 June 1910 in Alexandria. Egypt participated in its first Olympic Games in the 1912 Stockholm edition, represented by Ahmed Hassanein in fencing.

Who is the god of sports in Egypt?

Ancient Egyptians had around 100 gods and goddesses they believed controlled different forces. They had no specific god for sports but consulted several gods like Amun, the god of sun and air (the creator), Wepwawet (the god of war and hunting), and Ihy (the god of music and joy).

Top 10 sports in Egypt

The country has dominated numerous games and produced some of the best players on earth. From Mohamed Salah in football to basketball legend Mohsen Medhat Warda and Ahmed El-Ahmar in handball, the list of Egyptian heroes is immense.

Boxing

Boxing is one of the most famous sports in Egypt. The country has established multiple boxing academies to nurture talents. Mohamed Aly is the most accomplished boxer in the nation's history. He won a silver medal in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Other top boxers from the country are Mohamed Ali Rashwan, Karam Gaber, Ramadan Yasser, and Mohamed El-Sayed.

Tennis

The game has gained massive popularity in the North African nation thanks to the influence of former star Ismail El Shafei. The tennis legend reached a career-high singles ranking of 34.

Ismail served as the president of the Egyptian Tennis Federation and a member of the board of directors of the International Tennis Federation. Egypt is also known for hosting exciting tennis competitions like the Alexandrian Open and the ITF Women's Tennis Tour.

Swimming

Swimming is an ancient sport and one of Egypt's most prominent water sports. Many schools and clubs have set up swimming facilities to train people of all levels. Legendary swimmer Farida Osman, nicknamed the 'Golden Fish,' won numerous international championships, setting the pace for other generations.

The Egyptian Swimming Federation has also promoted the sport's growth and development by supporting swimming institutions and organising international competitions.

Athletics

Athletics also dates back to ancient times when Egyptians organised multiple physical activities. The country has produced talented athletes dominating in various fields. Hassan El-Hachad is the most recognised for his achievements in the triple jump. Egypt has nurtured athletes in long and short races, high jump, shot put, discus throw, and hammer throw.

Table tennis

Table tennis, commonly known as ping-pong, is a popular sport in the North African nation. It has promoted friendship and goodwill throughout history. Egypt became the first African country to host the ITTF World Championships in 1939, followed by South Africa in 2023.

The sport gained traction thanks to the achievements of the legendary Omar Assar. Omar became the first Egyptian and only the second African to reach the semi-final at the World Table Tennis Championships. Many table tennis stars have also emerged, including Dina Meshref and Ibrahim Hamadtou.

What are the top 5 sports in Egypt?

Football, basketball, handball, volleyball, and squash are the top five best sports in Egypt. Over a million people follow the games from grassroots to high levels.

Squash

Is squash Egypt's national sport? Squash has emerged as a prominent sport in Egypt since the 1930s. The country has produced top male and female players, holding higher positions in international rankings. The African nation hosts numerous international squash tournaments like the El Gouna International Squash Open. The Egypt's Premier Squash League is also popular.

Successful players in the sport include former world number one Ramy Ashour, Ali Farag, and Nour El Sherbini. Others are Amr Shabana, Mohamed El Shorbagy, Tarek Momen, and Karim Abdel Gawad.

Volleyball

Egypt's dominance in men's and women's volleyball in Africa proves how the sport is cherished. The men's national team is nine times African champions, while the women's team ranks among the strongest, with three African championships.

Many Egyptians play volleyball on the streets, in schools, and in clubs. The Egyptian Volleyball League is the highest and most-followed local volleyball competition. Ahmed Salah, Ahmed Kotb, Ahmed Shafik, and Hossam Abdalla are among the top volleyball talents to emerge from the nation.

Handball

Handball is the third-most popular sport in the North African nation. Egypt's national handball team ranks among the best in Africa, alongside Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Angola. Egypt's team became the first-ever non-European team to reach the semi-finals in the Handball World Championships and the semi-finals of the Olympic Games.

Famous stars like Ahmed El-Ahmar, Abdelrahman Abdou, and Hassan Moustafa helped shape the sport through their achievements. The Egyptian Handball Federation has invested in infrastructure and developed home-grown talents to continue their dominance.

Basketball

The sport entered Egypt in the 1930s and has grown to become the second-most popular game in the country. The Egyptian Basketball Super League is the top-tier professional basketball league in the country, featuring top talents and teams.

Egypt is the only African nation to host a FIBA World Cup (Under-19). They also have 17 medals in the African Championships. Alaa Abdelnaby is one of the most-recognised legends, the first Egyptian to play in the NBA. Other top stars include Abdel Nader, Assem Marei, and Rami Ghanem.

Football/soccer

Football is Egypt's national sport and the most popular game in the country. The Egyptian Premier League is a top-tier football competition featuring African giants and arch-rivals Al Ahly and Zamalek. The national team is also the most successful in Africa, with seven AFCON titles.

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Other Sports

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool is the most famous Egyptian athlete because of his incredible skills and goal-scoring genius in the English Premier League. Other top footballers are Mohamed Elneny, Ahmed Elmohamady, Mohamed Aboutrika, Essam El Hadary, and Ahmed Hassan.

Extreme sports in Egypt

The North African nation offers risky sporting activities like kayaking, skydiving, deep sea diving, and dirt biking in the desert. Others are rock climbing and bouldering. Most tourists enjoy the breathtaking activities and often visit areas where they can get the experience.

Sports in Egypt have evolved since the ancient days. The emergence of new modern games has also diversified the sporting culture. Most Egyptians have pursued careers in their favourite games and made millions.

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Sport	Year of Introduction in Egypt	Famous athletes
Football/soccer	1890s	Mohamed Salah, Ahmed Hassan, Mohamed Elneny, Essam El Hadary
Basketball	1930s	Alaa Abdelnaby, Abdel Nader, Assem Marei
Handball	1950s	Ahmed El-Ahmar, Abdelrahman Abdou, Hassan Moustafa
Volleyball	1920s	Ahmed Salah, Ahmed Kotb, Ahmed Shafik
Squash	1930s	Ramy Ashour, Ali Farag, Nour El Sherbini
Table tennis	1920s	Omar Assar
Athletics	Ancient times	Hassan El-Hachad
Swimming	Ancient times	Farida Osman
Tennis	1900s	Ismail El Shafei, Jaroslav Drobný, Adli El Shafei II
Boxing	1920s	Mohamed Aly, Mohamed Ali Rashwan, Karam Gaber