Latest news with #Farag
Al-Ahram Weekly
4 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Squash: Egyptian four-time world champion Ali Farag retires at 33 - Omni sports
Egypt's four-time world champion and former World No.1 Ali Farag has announced his retirement from professional squash with immediate effect, calling time on one of the sport's most decorated careers. The 33-year-old Harvard graduate, who held the World No.1 position for 238 weeks, shared the news in an emotional Instagram reel on Tuesday, saying he was stepping away with 'a full heart, a peaceful mind, and an open soul.' 'I hereby announce my retirement from our beautiful sport,' Farag said. 'It's been long coming ever since COVID really and I've achieved all my goals... Squash has been my passion, my identity and my purpose for as long as I can remember.' Farag's decision comes less than two weeks after he reached his fifth World Championship final in Chicago, where he lost to current World No.1 Mostafa Asal. He retires ranked second in the PSA world rankings. Widely regarded as one of the finest players in squash history, Farag claimed 46 PSA Tour titles, placing him sixth on the all-time men's list. His trophy haul includes four World Championships, four Tournament of Champions titles, three Qatar Classics, and three Egyptian Opens. He also won the British Open and three U.S. Open titles—one of which he famously shared with his wife, fellow squash star Nour El Tayeb, in 2017. Farag's professional career began in 2005 and spanned 553 PSA matches, of which he won 445. He also served as PSA Men's President for four years and was voted by peers for the PSA Spirit of Squash Award seven times over the past eight years. In his farewell message, Farag reflected on his journey, noting the sacrifices made for his family. 'I've missed so many of the milestones that I wanted to be there for—the school pickups, the late-night cuddles, the bedtime stories,' he said. 'I've always believed in balance and I feel like that balance has shifted now.' He also thanked his parents, brother, and coaches—including Karim Darwish and Mike Way—and paid tribute to his wife, whom he called 'the most important person' in his life. Farag concluded his message by expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, stating: 'My heart, like so many others, is with the Palestinian people... May we never let silence be complicity.' The Professional Squash Association (PSA) praised Farag's legacy. 'Ali has been a true ambassador for the sport,' said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough. 'He combined incredible athleticism and talent with humility and sportsmanship... His presence on the tour will be deeply missed.' Farag's retirement means he will not compete in next week's British Open in Birmingham. His seeding will be passed on to Peru's Diego Elias, while England's Simon Herbert will move into the main draw. Career highlights: PSA titles: 46 PSA finals: 81 Match wins: 445 Weeks at World No.1: 238 Represented Egypt in four World Team Championships (all wins) Farag ends his career not just as a champion, but as a symbol of professionalism and grace in modern squash. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
4 days ago
- Sport
- See - Sada Elbalad
World's No. 2 Ali Farag Retires from Pro Squash
Rana Atef Egypt's four-time World Squash Team Champion and former World No.1 Ali Farag announced his retirement from professional squash. Farag, ranked at No.2 in the PSA World Rankings upon his retirement won World Squash Team Championships on four occasions as well as four PSA World Championship titles. Farewell beautiful game… — Ali Farag (@AliFarag) May 28, 2025 His retirement comes five months after helping Egypt clinch a sixth World Squash Team Championship title after a dramatic battle with Mohamed ElShorbagy at Hong Kong Football Club, and two weeks after winning a silver medal at the PSA World Championships in Chicago. Farag spent 238 weeks at World No.1 between March 2019 – March 2025 and won 46 PSA Squash Tour titles throughout his career, which puts him sixth on the all-time men's winners list. Since making his PSA debut in 2005, Farag played in 81 PSA finals, with a 57 % win rate, while he won 445 of his 553 matches on the PSA Squash Tour. He is the fifth longest-serving men's World No.1 after Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Peter Nicol and Geoff Hunt. Farag was a vital part of the Egypt squad that captured a historic double at the 2024 World Squash Team Championships 'I always knew this day would come and I knew it would be very emotional. And it is, but in a good way,' Farag said. 'It's been a long time coming. Ever since Covid, really. When I'd achieved all my goals, I always thought 'What's next for me?' 'Squash been my passion, my identity and my purpose for as long as I can remember, but there was always another part of me, a family man. Now, I'm a husband and a father to two beautiful young girls, one about to turn four and the other born three months ago. I've missed so many of the milestones that I wanted to be there for: the school pickups, the late-night cuddles, the bedtime stories. All of those things that pass too quickly when you're always chasing the next flight, the next match, the next tournament. 'I've always believed in balance, and I feel like the balance has shifted now. This is what I want the next chapter to be. 'I'm walking away at the perfect time. Squash is in a place it has never been and the level is higher than ever in the men's and women's game. Even if I'm not playing, you can count on me always being there as a fan, a supporter and someone who will always love this game.' World Squash President Zena Wooldridge paid tribute to Farag, saying: 'Ali exits the game having earned the respect and admiration of the global squash community and beyond. 'Besides being one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, it is perhaps his grace on and off court that will be most fondly remembered. World Squash, and all who love our sport, owe Ali an enormous debt of gratitude for everything he has done for squash and I wish him the very best of luck in the next chapter of his life.' read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Asharq Al-Awsat
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Egypt Rejects Israeli Claims of Relocating Gazans to Sinai
Egypt on Friday dismissed as "baseless" claims by Israeli media that it plans to relocate 500,000 Palestinians from Gaza to its North Sinai province that borders the enclave, stressing its commitment to a reconstruction plan for the war-ravaged territory. Former head of the Egyptian army's Department of Morale Affairs Maj. Gen. Samir Farag described the allegations as an attempt to "deflect from Israel's internal crises and test Cairo's response." "Egypt is determined to implement the Gaza reconstruction plan, and such attempts will not deter it from continuing or securing international support," Farag told Asharq Al-Awsat. Egypt on Friday firmly denied media reports claiming it was prepared to temporarily relocate 500,000 Palestinians from Gaza to a designated city in North Sinai as part of reconstruction efforts, the State Information Service (SIS) said in a statement. The SIS dismissed the allegations as "false and unfounded," emphasizing that they "completely contradict Egypt's firm and principled stance," which it has maintained since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. Cairo "categorically and unequivocally rejects any attempt to forcibly or voluntarily displace Palestinians from Gaza, especially to Egypt, as it would undermine the Palestinian cause and pose a serious threat to national security," the statement added. Egypt's firm stance against the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza underpins the reconstruction plan it proposed at the recent Cairo Arab Emergency Summit, which was unanimously approved, the SIS affirmed. The plan aims to rebuild the Gaza Strip without forcing a single Palestinian to leave, the statement stressed. On Friday, Israel's i24 News cited a report from Lebanon's Al-Akhbar newspaper alleging discussions about Egypt receiving 500,000 Gazans in North Sinai. However, the newspaper attributed the claim to Israeli media without citing official sources. Farag reiterated that Egypt has opposed the displacement of Palestinians "since the first day of the Gaza war" and remains committed to its reconstruction plan. "These claims are merely a test of Egypt's resolve, a psychological warfare tactic, and an attempt to shift the crisis onto Egypt," he said, adding that they come as Israel faces internal turmoil and as Cairo continues efforts to push for a ceasefire and a return to negotiations.
Jordan News
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Jordan News
Expired: An Egyptian Drama Addressing Digital Gambling - Jordan News
In the Ramadan season of 2025, actor Mohamed Farag takes on his first lead role in television drama through the series "Expired," set to air on MBC Egypt starting from the 15th of Ramadan. اضافة اعلان The series unfolds in a compelling social context, focusing on the hidden world of digital gambling and its devastating effects on the lives of young people. Farag plays "Saleh," a successful employee who is wronged and finds his life turned upside down. He is then caught in a whirlwind of critical decisions, between losing everything and getting swept into the dangerous world of gambling. Cast of the Series In addition to Mohamed Farag, the series stars Yasmine Rais, Heba Magdy, Khaled Serhan, Mahmoud Al-Lethi, Dunia Maher, Tamer Nabil, Sami Maghouri, and Hassan Malik. The series is written by Mohamed Hesham Abiya and directed by Tamer Nadi. Negative Impact of Gambling Farag commented in a press release, saying, "The idea of the series came from the director and the writer. When it was presented to me, I really liked it, and I believe it's the first time that a drama addresses the issue of online gambling and its negative impact on the minds of young people." He revealed the details of his character, explaining that he plays "Saleh Al-Fayez," a young man who lived an unstable family life but possesses great intelligence and skill. However, a series of events lead to dramatic changes, turning his life upside down. Regarding how viewers might be affected by the character, which may present unhealthy behavior, Farag stated, "Drama is created from stories and tales inspired by real life. Viewers may not accept direct advice, so it's better to present it in an indirect way for real conviction of what's being presented." He also discussed his first collaboration with director Tamer Nadi through "Expired," saying, "Once we started working together, our ideas aligned significantly. I always enjoy working with writers and directors who have different ideas and visions because it gives the artist great energy to renew and present unconventional ideas." The Issues Addressed in the Series Actor Mahmoud Al-Lethi, who plays the character "Fathi," a teacher with many negative traits who seeks to make money by any means, said he was surprised by the widespread nature of digital gambling among certain segments of the population. He emphasized that the series would resonate with many viewers, and the goal is for the educational message to be conveyed in an indirect but impactful way. Actress Dunia Maher, who plays "Safaa," a lawyer and mother, stated that the series addresses a new and unexplored issue in drama, and she believes it will spark significant debate. Filming and Real-Life Inspirations Writer Mohamed Hesham Abiya explained that the title "Expired" refers to many things that lose their validity over time, such as human relationships or behaviors that fade or change. He further clarified that ideas also have an expiration date, and he believes the series addresses various ideas on different levels, aiming to reach all social classes. Abiya also mentioned that some events in the series are inspired by real-life incidents, highlighting drama's role in shedding light on sensitive societal issues and discussing them openly. According to him, addressing such issues and bringing them to the public eye is a healthy phenomenon. Many of the series' events were filmed in open locations, a decision reached after extensive discussions with director Tamer Nadi. This approach was chosen to ensure the series addresses an issue that impacts different segments of society, so it was natural for the filming to take place in locations that match the nature of the events. Conclusion "Expired" is a significant Egyptian drama that deals with the issue of digital gambling and its destructive impact on the youth, following characters' lives as they deal with the consequences of their involvement in this dangerous world. The series is expected to provoke significant discussions and raise awareness about an important issue, making it one of the most anticipated dramas for Ramadan 2025.
See - Sada Elbalad
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
TV Series "Montaha El Salahya" First Look Released
Yara Sameh The first look at Egyptian actor Mohamed Farag's TV series "Montaha El Salahya" has been released. The series also boasts a cast that includes Heba Magdi, Hana Shiha, Yasmin Raeis, Donia Maher, Mahmoud Ellisy, Samy Maghawry, Hassan Malek, Jessica Hosameldin, Malak Hassan, and more. The drama consists of 15 episodes and marks Farag's first lead role in a drama. It is scripted by Mohamed Hisham Obia, directed by Tamer Nady, and produced by EProducers Productions. "Montaha El Salahya" is set to screen on the "MBC Masr" TV Channel during the Ramadan 2025 drama marathon. Farag participated last Ramadan with the TV series " Lahzet Ghadab". The cast also includes Saba Mubarak, Mohamed Shahin, Nardine Farag, Aly Kassem, and more. The series consists of 15 episodes and hails from director Abdelaziz El Naggar and scriptwriter Mohab Tarek. Farag, born November 15, 1982, joined Khaled Galal's acting workshop in Cairo's creativity center. In 2009, starred in the play 'Ahwa Sada' (Black Coffee) in 2009, which drew widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike. He then went on to star in supporting roles in films and TV productions such as 'Elrahina' (The Hostage) and 'Alf Mabrook' (Congratulations) alongside Ahmed Helmy. In 2013, Farrag landed his first major role in the action film 'El Qashah' (The Sweeper).
