Al-Ahly withdraws from IHF Super Globe in Qatar

CAIRO – 17 June 2017: Al-Ahly Sports Club’s first handball team will not be participating in the IHF Super Globe 2017 scheduled to be held in Doha from August 25-28, in support of Egypt’s recent move to boycott Qatar, according to a

statement

released on the club’s official website on Friday.

Ahly's executive manager Shereen Shams said that the club’s decision came in the heels of the government’s decision to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, the statement read, referring to the club’s earlier decision to boycott the Doha-based beIN-Sports network, banning it from broadcasting the club’s matches.

On June 5, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates decided to impose a diplomatic and trade embargo on the energy-rich country on allegations Qatar supports terrorism and Iran.

Only a few hours later, the Asian Handball Club League Championship current title holders, the Saudi

Al-Noor

club followed suit.

“No sanctions will be imposed on the club as long as the final decision has been taken before the lawful deadline,” Hesham Hatab, the head of the Egyptian National Olympic Committee told Radio Program “

Kalam fil goal

” broadcasted on Mega.FM on Friday.

Hatab called Ahly’s decision correct and in alignment with the government’s policies.

He concluded by saying that the International Olympics Committee and other international federations are seriously considering stripping Qatar of the privilege of hosting international championships.