Ibrahim and Elalfy charting their own paths with Egypt U18 Women's team

 

ANTSIRABE (Madagascar) Following in the footsteps of famous parent is not always an easy task as that route does not often guarantee success for the offspring.

Egyptian U18 team captain Tamara Ibrahim and her teammate, Jana Elalfy have chosen the sporting route that made their fathers household names in the country. 

Luckily for both players the journey has had its rewards and together they have their eyes on a big prize. 

Before discussing their quest help Egypt defend the FIBA U18 Women's Championship won in 2020 in Cairo, both players reflected on their journey on Saturday at the Gymnasae Couvert D'Antsirabe. 

For 16-year-old Elalfy, her route in basketball was organic as her father Ehab,  was a former player and now the national women's team head coach. She has been involved in the sport for a long time and Jana would always watch him at work.

"I started playing basketball when at the age of three. I was influenced by dad, whose practices I watched and imitated the moves he made on the court, when he coached," said the Al Ahly power forward. 

Ibrahim is the daughter of decorated former Egyptian goalkeeper and football legend, Nader El Sayed, who  has an Africa Cup of Nations title to his and won titles former clubs Zamalek and their rivals Al Ahly. For her playing basketball was more of a desire and it has been rewarding Egyptian Shooting Club player.

"I started playing when I was eight-year-old and it was always a dream of mine to play in Europe and play at home. I have accomplished that dream at young age when I played in Switzerland  for Nyon, where I played a cup final for the club," said the forward, who still craves for more success in her chosen sport.

"It was good experience playing in Europe, while am still a teenager. I still want to accomplish more, especially now with the Egyptian team as we are competing in African Championship and we want to win. It is a dream of mine to win this competition."

Back to the FIBA U18 Women's African Championship, Ibrahim believes the experience she gained playing in Europe will benefit the team as they fight to retain their title.

"I have learnt how to deal with certain situations on the court from a physical and mental aspect. Basketball in Europe has a different approach to Egypt and America. It teaches you not to only be physically strong, but that you have to be strong mentally as well. Now I'm here giving that same knowledge to my teammates at this tournament," said Ibrahim who scored 12 points in Egypt's opening day 111-38  victory over Guinea on Friday night.

Elalfy, who  scored 29 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Guinea, came through the youth ranks in Egypt and she has vast experience having played with the national team at FIBA continental and the world championship level.

Jana Elalfy averaged team-highs 16 points, 11 rebounds per game at 2022 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup

"I have played for my national team in the under-16 African championship in Egypt and the under-17 World Cup in Hungary and I am here now with the team in the under-18 in Madagascar," said Elalfy, who shared about her joy of representing her country and defending their title in the island nation of Madagascar.

"I am really proud of every opportunity I get to represent my country. I am also excited to be with this group of players and we are aiming to get the gold. We will do our best to try and win this championship," she said.

Ibrahim shares her teammates wish to return home with the trophy and it would also mean more to clinch the trophy in Madagascar.

"We want to win this championship the most because we have never won it outside of Egypt," the 17-year-old admitted.

"It will be big for us if we win it, because we have prepared for it mentally and physically. I don't think any player on this team feels that they did not put their best effort in preparing for the tournament. We want to  defend the title," said Ibrahim.

FIBA