Sons follow in fathers footsteps for Egypt

CAIRO (Egypt) - The mark of a man's legacy is whether he can influence the son to continue a family tradition and at the FIBA U18 African Championship 2020, three proud fathers stand out with great fulfillment.

Amidst a global pandemic when almost all hope is lost, basketball is providing joy and a sense of hope that the future is bright and promising for these three families. 

A sense of pride engulfs them and at the end of it all, the feeling is mutual that basketball is more than just a game. It is indeed a way of life that exemplifies a greater purpose in life and shines a light on the very core of existence. 

When your father is a well respected figure in not just the basketball fraternity in Egypt but rather the whole country and beyond, it is easy to crumble under the weight of expectations but these three lads are out to write their own stories. 

The Tolbas

Basketball has always been part of their household. They live it, breathe it and ultimately play it. One-on-ones are a common sight in their midst. 

The competitiveness at home has gradually shaped Belal Elshakery, son to Tolba Mohamed Abdelmotaleb also vice president at the Egypt Basketball Federation. 

To see his son playing on the national U18 team is a sense of honor for him. He said, "This is a very memorable moment for me and my family to sit here and watch my son representing Egypt just like I did. It brings back good memories when I played and I am grateful for how far he has come as a player. The future is bright for him."

Tolba senior played for Egypt from 1987 to 1999 playing at the Seoul Olympics 1988 and the FIBA Basketball World Cup two years later in Argentina and the next edition in 1994 in Canada. He won gold with the team at the All Africa Games in 1991, 1995 and 1999 before retiring having captained the national team. A legend. 

His youngest 13-year old son Annas Abdelmotaleb is also playing basketball for Al Ahly and hopes to represent Egypt when the time is right. 

The Abdalatifs  

Mohab Yasser Abdalatif has certainly made his father proud. Playing for Egypt for the very first time in his life, Mohab scored an incredible 42 of Egypt's 68 points as they overcame Guinea who managed to score 60 points. 

"I am proud of my father's guidance all these years and his belief in me as a player. And for him to come and watch me play at this tournament in Cairo, it is an emotional moment for me as a player. I am glad that we won and that I made him proud. I am very happy today," Mohab told FIBA.basketball. 

"I am not under pressure to match his name but rather I try to do my best every time that my teammates trust me with the ball. It is an honor to play for Egypt and to defend our nation here at home at this tournament," he added. 

Mohab's father played with the senior national team back in 1998, four years before he was born and making his father proud is at the top of his priority list. 

The Khairys

Moamen Abouzeid has already started dominating the headlines of youth basketball in Africa thanks to his exploits in Cape Verde last year at the FIBA U16 African Championship. 

His intellect and ability to lead his teammates on and off court is a thing of pride for his father Tarek Khairy who set the pace for him years earlier when he donned the national team colors. 

"Playing for Egypt in Cairo is an incredible experience for me as a player because I get to play in front of my parents. I am happy with this and as a team we want to make Egypt proud and win the tournament here at home," Abouzeid explained. 

Egypt have one win in the bag and rest on Friday before facing Senegal on Saturday. All games are live on the FIBA YouTube channel. 

FIBA