Chechen leader: Egypt's National Team to be greatly received

CAIRO – 13 February 2018: The Chechen authorities in Russia are determined to ensure that the Egyptian National Football Team's arrival in Grozny City will be greatly celebrated, according to Head of the Chechen Republic RamzanKadyrov.

Kadyrov said during his meeting with the Chechen Government that the arrival of Egypt's National Football Team in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, will have its significance for Chechnya as it will recognize its international success in promoting the sports field, Tass Russian News Agency reported.

“We have to ensure that the national team will be greatly received as perourtraditions of hospitality,” stressed Kadyrov.

Kadyrovhas given instructions to the organizing committee to prepare the airports and train stations to receive the team.

“We have a great experience in organizing international large- scale events, and I ascertain that no problems will occur. We ensureleavinga good impression about our country.”

The Egyptian National Team has chosen Groznyto be a World Cup base for Egypt, and they have selected “The Local” Hotel, which will be inaugurated in March 2018. The team will meet with Russian, Uruguay and Saudi national teams.

On February 9, 2018, FIFA approved Chechnya as a World Cup base for Egypt. But, FIFA was asked to reverse its decision on enlisting Grozny among FIFA’s authorized bases for the 32 finalists as no World Cup matches were played in the volatile North Caucasus region because it was criticized for human rights violations under leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

"FIFA's decision to use Grozny for a World Cup team camp is absolutely shocking and outrageous," Human Rights Watch Associate Director Jane Buchanan told The Associated Press. "FIFA should reverse their decision and move the training camp to another city."

The tournament that will be launching on June 8 will take place across 11 Russian cities.