(Cairo, October 30th, 2024) The Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights (ECWR) strongly condemns the decision issued by the Egyptian Fencing Federation to exclude 10 female players, including Olympic champion Nada Hafiz, from participating in international competitions. This decision is considered discriminatory against female athletes based on age and motherhood, in violation of Article 5 of the Federation’s bylaws and in contravention of the Sports Law and the Constitution. It represents a blatant violation of the rights of Egyptian female athletes.
The federation has issued a statement justifying this decision by claiming the need to rely on young athletes to build a new generation. However, it remains unclear whether this decision applies equally to both male and female athletes. This decision demands scrutiny and raises doubts about the transparency and standards used in making such a critical decision. It also sets Egypt back in international reports on women’s rights.
Nehad Abuelkomsan, ECWR’s chairwoman, asserts that the exclusion of a champion like Nada Hafiz and nine other successful female athletes is a huge loss for Egyptian sports.
Therefore, ECWR calls upon the Minister of Sports to intervene immediately to review this decision, as it constitutes discrimination that is contrary to the law, infringes upon the rights of Egyptian female athletes, and harms the reputation of Egyptian sports worldwide.
ECWR also emphasizes the need for:
- Justice and Equality: Athletes, both male and female, should be selected based on merit and qualifications, without any gender-based discrimination.
- Transparency: Decision-making processes within sports federations must be transparent and subject to accountability.
- Support for Female Athletes: The state and sports federations must provide the necessary support to Egyptian female athletes and encourage them to achieve greater accomplishments.
