President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is expected to deliver a speech, Wednesday, at the opening ceremony of the 27th men’s Handball World Championship that Egypt is hosting.
Before the first match between Egypt and Chile in Cairo, welcoming speeches will be delivered by International Handball Federation Chairman Hassan Moustafa and President Sisi, according to the IHF official website.
It’s ruled out that Sisi will attend the opening ceremony because of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus and its tightened measures in Egypt.
Thus, the first scenario is that the speech will be delivered by Egypt’s Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy on behalf of Sisi.
The second scenario is that a recorded filmed speech will be broadcast during the ceremony, ahead of the match.
SEE News could not verify any of the two scenarios will take place as no response has been received yet from the Presidency Spokesperson Bureau.
Egypt and Chile have never faced each other before at this level, and now each side hope to start the championship on a positive note.
The Pharaohs, who are reigning African champions, have not missed any World Championship since 1993, and now want to succeed on home court even without the support of their vocal fans at the arena.
While the vast majority of Egypt’s players are from domestic clubs, the team is coached by Spaniard Roberto Garcia Parrondo, who led HC Vardar to their 2019 EHF Men’s Champions League triumph.
Interestingly enough, the opening match will feature a duel of Spanish technicians, with Chile being coached by Mateo Garralda.
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