Today, Tuesday, marks the 53rd anniversary of the victories of October 6, 1973, a national moment when the armed forces and the Egyptian people achieved one of the greatest accomplishments in history.
Athletes were not far from this pivotal moment, as several prominent figures left the fields to head to the front lines, participating in the defense of the homeland and the recovery of territories, balancing sports achievements with national duty.
Mahmoud El-Gohary: The Leader of Football and October Hero
The late Mahmoud El-Gohary stands out as one of the most prominent coaches in the history of Egyptian, Arab, and African football, being among the athletes who participated in the October War.
Born in 1938, El-Gohary was an officer in the armed forces and participated in the war with the rank of Major, before retiring with the rank of Brigadier General in the Signal Corps, later continuing his historic career in the world of football.
Samir Zaher: From Al Ahly Player to Combat Front
Samir Zaher, a former Al Ahly player and former head of the Egyptian Football Association, was one of the athletes who fulfilled their military duty during the October War.
Zaher joined the armed forces in 1967 and continued to serve until he participated in the October War, before retiring from football and moving into administrative work, eventually becoming a prominent figure in the history of Egyptian football.
Abdel Mohsen Mortaga: The Man of War and Football
General Abdel Mohsen Mortaga is considered one of the notable figures who combined military service with sports.
Mortaga headed Al Ahly club during two terms and rose through military ranks until he took command of the Arab forces in Yemen, earning the title "The Man of War and Football" due to his achievements in both fields.
Hamada Imam: The Fox in the Armed Forces
Hamada Imam, a Zamalek legend known as "The Fox," was also among the athletes who served their national duty in the armed forces.
Imam comes from a famous sporting family; he is the son of Yahya Imam, a former Zamalek goalkeeper, and the father of Hazem Imam, a star of the white castle.
Mahmoud Bakr: From the Fields to the Reconnaissance Corps
Mahmoud Bakr was not just a former star at Olympic Club and one of Egypt's most famous sports commentators, but he also participated in the October War.
Bakr joined the armed forces in 1967, serving as an officer in the reconnaissance corps, and took part in the October War before ending his military service with the rank of Colonel and later moving into sports administration and media.
Mohamed Abdel Aziz Kabeel: Zamalek Player and Commander of the Fourth Division
General Mohamed Abdel Aziz Kabeel, a Zamalek player in the 1950s, was one of the prominent military leaders participating in the October War.
Kabeel commanded the Fourth Armored Division during the war, before rising through military ranks to become the commander of the Western Military Region and later the military attaché in Washington.
He also had a presence in the sports field, having held several positions within Zamalek Club and the Egyptian Football Association.
Fekry Saleh: Goalkeeper Coach Who Participated in the Crossing
Among the sports figures who participated in the October War was Fekry Saleh, a former Zamalek player and goalkeeper coach, who served as an officer in the paratroopers during the war.
After completing his military service, Saleh continued his career in football and became one of the well-known names in goalkeeper coaching.
Hossam Taha: The International Referee Who Served in Supply and Logistics
General Hossam Taha, a former international referee, was an officer in the supply and logistics corps during the October War.
After the war, he continued his military career until retirement, while his son Ahmed Hossam Taha followed in his father's footsteps in the world of refereeing and became an international referee.
Sabry Sarag: Injured in War Training
General Sabry Sarag, a former basketball player for Zamalek and former vice president of the club, was one of those involved in the military preparations for the war.
Sarag suffered an injury that led to the loss of his arm during military training with the infantry, placing his name among the athletes who made significant sacrifices for their country.
Zaher Abdel Rahman: One of the Heroes of the Air Force
Among the military names associated with sports is General Zaher Abdel Rahman, the former commander of the Air Force and one of the prominent participants in the October War.
In recognition of his national role, Al-Zohour Club named its social building after him in 2017, honoring his memory and appreciating his contributions during his military and sports career.
A Long List of Heroic Athletes
The participation of athletes in the October War was not limited to these names alone; the list included many figures from Egyptian sports, including General Mohamed Farid Haggag, former vice president of the Handball Federation, and Hani Sarour, a former goalkeeper for Ittihad Alexandria, and Abdel Hamid Shaheen, a former Zamalek goalkeeper.
General Mustafa Kamel, the former governor of Port Said and record holder in the pentathlon, and General Mounir Thabet, a former member of the International Olympic Committee who served in the Air Force during the war, were also part of the list, along with Ibrahim Mabrouk and Mahmoud Ahmed Ali, the former head of the Olympic Committee and Basketball Federation.
Thus, the sports fields were not far from the October epic, as many sports stars proved that loyalty to the homeland always came before championships and competitions, leaving the fields during wartime to take up arms in defense of land and dignity.
