The Egyptian Cabinet published a statement from the Ministry of Youth and Sports regarding the incident of a wrestling team player leaving the Egyptian delegation in Slovakia.
The statement said that the Wrestling Federation was instructed to take legal action, investigate, and submit a detailed report on the incident after the Ministry of Youth and Sports urgently followed up on the incident of the player Ziad Hajjaj, a member of the Egyptian wrestling team, leaving the Egyptian delegation’s residence in Slovakia, after the end of his participation in the World Youth Wrestling Championship.
The ministry immediately contacted the officials of the Egyptian Wrestling Federation and the head of the delegation, and directed them to take all legal measures, investigate, and submit a detailed report on all the circumstances and procedures taken in this regard.
An official report was also filed regarding the incident, with emphasis on the need to complete all legal procedures regarding the player, and to take the necessary measures in light of what the investigations will reveal.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports confirms that all sports federations have been instructed to take the necessary legal measures and controls towards all players participating in foreign sports missions regarding their travel and until their return to the homeland, including the official declarations and pledges stipulated in accordance with the rules and regulations in force. The decision to send the mission also included a commitment to return all members of the mission to the homeland after the end of the competitions, in accordance with the regulations and decisions governing the travel of sports missions.
The statement noted that the guardian of the player Ziad Hajjaj had signed a declaration assuming responsibility for the player’s return to Egypt before the delegation traveled to Slovakia.
In this context, the ministry directed that it be provided with all the details and documents related to the incident, in order to determine full responsibilities, whether with regard to the player or to the organizational and administrative procedures of the mission.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports emphasizes that participation in national teams is an honor and a responsibility, and that it will not tolerate any violation of the rules and regulations and will hold accountable any party proven to be negligent or in violation, while at the same time preserving the rights of the players and taking measures in accordance with the law.
