In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Brothers and Sisters,

Today, I had hoped to have been amongst all of you so that I can personally thank each and every one for the great trust that you bestowed upon me when you nominated me a participant in this event. However, due to compelling work circumstances, I sincerely apologize for not being able to join in your celebrations for the launch of the 2002 World No Tobacco Day.

It is extremely apparent to me that today we are at the core of discussing a detrimental issue that not only threatens societies worldwide but also the well-being of children. A well-being that could and should be directly transformed into efforts to be exerted in building and constructing blocks within their societies.

Needless to say, of course, the issue at hand today is not a new one. Sorrowfully and strangely enough, every smoker fully acknowledges what is awaiting and slowly approaching him. He knows – maybe even more so than non-smokers – how much every cigarette diminishes from each day in his life and how much it paralyzes his bodily cells and functions. It is as though every smoker is adamant on committing suicide and slowly withdrawing from life in a manner that is, more usually than not, sad and disastrous.

Therefore, if we want to fight this terrible beast that is eating away at our children and threatening the efforts that they could have otherwise directed more beneficially into their societies then, we must start at the level of the child. And in order for us to start with the child we must begin at home. Parents must learn about the importance of the role they need to play in shaping all aspects of their children’s lives especially and including the health aspect.

Therefore, the questions we now need to ask ourselves are:

• How can parents position themselves as role models that can influence their children’s actions and mould their personalities?
   
• How can it be embedded within children’s hearts and minds that the key block in building a stronger, more solid future where they can grow and flourish in order to take their active roles in becoming prosperous individuals within their societies is to first and foremost focus on the essential element of health? An element that they will need to use in order to service the society within which they inhabit.

Consequently, this is why this should be viewed as an issue bearing two folds on the child…… On the one hand, the child’s patriotism and love for his society and, on the other hand, the child’s love for his own health and self for the sake and well-being of that society.

Furthermore, addressing this issue cannot be complete without addressing the role of the school, which is another key element that comes into light right after the role of the home. At school, all forms of awareness should be adopted and implemented through all possible and attainable routes starting with:

• Utilizing the teacher as an important role model and,
   
• Ending with displaying the harmful effects and dangers that eventually lead the smoker’s life to a painful finale.

Finally, society as a whole also needs to play an integral role regarding this issue through utilizing all forms of communication tools as well as looking for alternatives…… After all; our slogan today is“Tobacco Free Sports.” And, that is why it is extremely crucial to have predominantly strong, continuous and persistent campaigns in order to achieve the desired effect.

We must all protect our youth as they are the fruits of the future and the hopes of tomorrow.

May God Bless Us All

Thank You

Career Highlights

• The Arab sportsman of the 20th century.
   
• Considered the best Egyptian player ever by most people/critics.
   
• The only Egyptian ever to win African footballer of the year - Ballon D'Or - by France Football magazine in 1983.
   
• Played for El-Ahly football team from 1972 to 1988.
   
• First match ever was in the second week of 1972 – League vs. Taiaran - on 13/10/1972.
   
• Played for the Egypt National Team from 1974 to 1986.
   
• Scored 108 goals for El-Ahly in the Egyptian League.
   
• A two-time top Egyptian League scorer in 1977/78 and 1980/81.
   
• Scored two goals in the African Cup of Nations.
   
• Scored 27 goals for Egypt National Team.
   
• Scored 37 goals in the African Club Competition (top African scorer).
   
• Led Egypt to the Olympic Games in 1980 and 1984.
   
• Played in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

Awards and Felicitations Received
 

• 10 Egyptian League Championships.
   
• Five Egyptian Cups.
   
• One African Nations Cup in 1986.
   
• Two African Champions Cups in 1982 and 1987.
   
• Three African Winners Cups in 1984,1985 and 1986.
   
• Seven-time winner of the Best Egyptian Footballer.
   
• One-time winner of the Best African Footballer in 1983 - the only Egyptian player to ever be awarded this title.
   
• African Teams Champions scorer - 37 goals.
   
• African Cup Of Nations for Egypt National Team in 1986.
   
• 11 titles of the Egyptian League for El-Ahly football team.
   
• Six titles of the Egyptian Cup for El-Ahly football team.
   
• Two titles of the African League Championships for El-Ahly football team in 1982 and 1987.
   
• Three titles of the African Cup for El-Ahly football team in 1984, 1985 and 1986.