EGYPT: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Egypt set to kick off the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Cairo

Record ID: 783292

  • Title: EGYPT: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Egypt set to kick off the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Cairo
  • Date: 25th September 2009
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (SEPTEMBER 23, 2009) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CONRAD HOTEL FIFA/HOTEL AND EGYPTIAN FLAGS OUTSIDE POSTER FOR FIFA UNDER-20 WORLD CUP NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS FIFA VICE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR UNDER-20 WORLD CUP, JACK A. WARNER SEATED NEXT TO FIFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER AND HEAD OF EGYPTIAN FIFA UNDER-20 WORLD CUP ORGANISING COMMITTEE HANY ABOU RIDA JOURNALISTS SEATED AT NEWS CONFERENCE FIFA POSTER (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FIFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER AND HEAD OF EGYPTIAN FIFA UNDER-20 WORLD CUP ORGANISING COMMITTEE HANY ABOU RIDA, SAYING: "Egyptians usually respond to events. So even if we had done additional promotion and the team did not perform well, it would not be positive. In the opening match, if the Egyptian team performs well, I have confidence that on the day of the opening, with the increased promotion for the championship and people living in the atmosphere of the championship, I think that the Egyptian audience will not let us down." JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTIONS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) FIFA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER AND HEAD OF EGYPTIAN FIFA UNDER-20 WORLD CUP ORGANISING COMMITTEE HANY ABOU RIDA, SAYING: "We in Egypt are very careful about the flu but in the rest of the world they consider it to be just the kind of flu that can happen every one or two years and develop. But with regards to medical care, our people have made the appropriate plans, and moreover, the important thing with for us of course is the evacuation plan if any problem occurs, and also the medical procedures and the rules we are following, such as if anything occurs in any of the stadiums, like Cairo Stadium - in each stadium we have around six ambulances and direct communications with the hospitals. So we are fully prepared to the point that it is like a real World Cup." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS JOURNALIST WRITING ON LAPTOP (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA VICE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR UNDER-20 WORLD CUP, JACK A. WARNER, SAYING: "I think if Africa had the same facilities and the same, the same privileges and the same advantages like the other countries in Europe, they would be far, far ahead. There is natural talent in Africa. Guys play football as if they dance, therefore, apart from the Brazilians I think it is quite easy for us to say that football in Africa is a natural sport, so to speak, a natural development. And if they get resources I am quite sure Africa would do better in the world of football. So to answer your question, I think Africa is the area, the region, where football will rise fastest in the years to come." ***FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** ABOU RIDA AND WARNER SHAKING HANDS
  • Embargoed: 10th October 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVABEQH3FOU0KA012O72GBCQWJQR
  • Story Text: Egypt hope to organise a successful FIFA under 20 World Cup as well as carry the hopes of their nation by reaching the latter stages of the tournament.
    On the eve of the FIFA under 20 World Cup finals, hosts Egypt are hoping the tournament will succeed in establishing the country's place on the sporting map.
    Twenty four teams are set to battle each other in a FIFA tournament that has catapulted young soccer talents to international superstars in recent times.
    The likes of Diego Maradona, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and Thierry Henry all turned eyes at the youth tournament and went on to impress at the senior level.
    This year's absence of Argentina -- the tournament's most successful nation with six titles -- leaves Brazil and Germany as many people's favourites for the title.
    A close eye will be kept on the African nations, who are expected to do well on their continent. Ghana, who have been drawn against Uzbekistan, England and Uruguay in Group D, will fancy their chances.
    Apart from the hosts, the United Arab Emirates is the only other Arab team at the tournament. The gulf country are drawn against South Africa, Honduras and Hungary.
    Hany Abou Rida, the head of the tournament's organising committee, said he expected locals will fill the stadiums at the tournament, especially if Egypt get off to a winning start against Trinidad and Tobago as they kick-off the competition on Thursday (September 24).
    "Egyptians usually respond to events. So even if we had done additional promotion and the team did not perform well, it would not be positive. In the opening match, if the Egyptian team performs well, I have confidence that on the day of the opening, with the increased promotion for the championship and people living in the atmosphere of the championship, I think that the Egyptian audience will not let us down," he said.
    Egypt lost out on hosting the 2010 World Cup to South Africa, but the Under-20 World Cup is nevertheless prestigious, and the organisers have said that considerable planning has gone into promoting, preparing facilities, safety planning, and transportation arrangements for the tournament.
    Rida also said that the government was prepared to deal with the threat of large crowds spreading the H1N1, or Swine Flu, virus, as well as any other emergencies.
    "We in Egypt are very careful about the flu but in the rest of the world they consider it to be just the kind of flu that can happen every one or two years and develop. But with regards to medical care, our people have made the appropriate plans, and moreover, the important thing with for us of course is the evacuation plan if any problem occurs, and also the medical procedures and the rules we are following, such as if anything occurs in any of the stadiums, like Cairo Stadium - in each stadium we have around six ambulances and direct communications with the hospitals. So we are fully prepared to the point that it is like a real World Cup," he said.
    FIFA Vice President Jack Warner said there was immense potential for African teams to do well in the future, but that they needed resources to develop.
    "I think if Africa had the same facilities and the same, the same privileges and the same advantages like the other countries in Europe, they would be far, far ahead. There is natural talent in Africa. Guys play football as if they dance, therefore, apart from the Brazilians I think it is quite easy for us to say that football in Africa is a natural sport, so to speak, a natural development. And if they get resources I am quite sure Africa would do better in the world of football. So to answer your question, I think Africa is the area, the region, where football will rises fastest in the years to come," he said.
    The Championships will be played at stadiums throughout Egypt, with the final taking place on October 16.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register