This landmark event not only marked the debut of Egypt’s 3x3 wheelchair basketball team on the global stage, but also underscored the country’s growing influence in international adaptive sports.
As one of the first African nations to take part in this newly introduced championship format by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), Egypt embraced the challenge with spirit and ambition. Competing among elite teams from around the world, the Egyptian squad showcased resilience and growth, finishing in 11th place overall — an impressive result for a team participating in its first-ever global 3x3 tournament.
Egypt was drawn in Group A alongside strong contenders including Great Britain, Croatia, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. The team began its campaign with a resounding 13-3 victory over Kenya, demonstrating dominance and control. Their momentum continued with a thrilling and hard-fought 12-11 win over the UAE, affirming their place as a team to watch. Despite valiant efforts, the team narrowly lost to Great Britain 10-13 and fell just one point short in a 12-13 defeat to Croatia. These close margins reflected the team’s competitiveness and potential, rather than shortcomings.
Following the group stage, Egypt moved into the placement matches for positions nine to 16. They faced Malaysia in a tense and closely matched game that ended 12–13 in favour of the opposition. However, the Egyptian team quickly bounced back with a spirited 9-7 win over host nation South Africa. In another gripping rematch against Croatia, Egypt came up just short again, losing 17-18 in one of the tournament’s most closely contested battles. Still, the team concluded their journey with pride, securing a convincing 15-9 win over Slovenia to cement their 11th-place ranking.
This debut performance stands as a testament to Egypt’s readiness to take on the world stage in the 3x3 format. The speed, intensity and strategic depth required by this version of the game offered a new challenge, one that Egypt met with professionalism and passion. More than just scores and standings, the team’s journey reflected the promise of a programme that has been steadily developing and investing in talent across the country.
Their participation in the inaugural IWBF 3x3 World Championship is a pioneering step — not just for Egypt, but for African wheelchair basketball as a whole. By competing at this level, the Egyptian Wheelchair Basketball Federation has set a precedent for excellence, inclusivity and representation, inspiring future generations of athletes with disabilities to believe in their potential on the global court.
As the curtains fall on this groundbreaking championship, Egypt’s name now stands proudly among the sport’s trailblazers. The experience gained, the lessons learned, and the passion ignited will no doubt fuel future success. This is not the end of the story — it is only the beginning.
Looking ahead, the Egyptian Wheelchair Basketball Federation, led by President May Zeineddin, expressed satisfaction with the overall performance, emphasising that this participation is a vital step in the federation’s long-term renewal plan to build a new generation of champions, backed by sustained technical and financial support.
Zeineddin extended her gratitude to the delegation and players for their discipline, teamwork and determination, as well as for the honorable image they projected throughout the tournament. The delegation was headed by board member Adel Sherif and included team manager Amr Sadeq, who is also executive director of the federation, alongside players Ashraf Abou Zeid, Mohamed Ammar, Toba Nagdi, Mahmoud Issa, Magdi Talaat, and Mohamed Farag.
Despite the challenges, the team proved they possess the skills, physical ability and competitive spirit to challenge the world’s best in one of the most demanding editions of the championship.
Adel Selim, vice president of the federation and general manager of the national teams, praised the players’ fighting spirit and commitment, noting that despite the fierce competition, the team demonstrated its ability to match first-tier nations. He stressed that the federation is working on a long-term development strategy and that such international participations provide a realistic benchmark for progress.
Selim also highlighted the championship as a golden opportunity for international exposure and skill enhancement, pledging to use this experience to identify areas for improvement ahead of future competitions.
Board member and renowned international referee Mahmoud Abdel- Aziz commended the level of play shown by the Egyptian squad, affirming that the team proved its ability to compete on the global stage. He noted that the performance in the World Championship confirms Egypt has promising talents to build upon, and that the federation is fully committed to supporting these athletes with the highest standards of technical and physical preparation.
He also emphasised the federation’s ongoing work to expand the sport’s reach across Egypt, organise more frequent local tournaments, and discover new talent. For Abdel Aziz, Egypt’s participation in the World Championship was far more than ceremonial; it was a strategic step forward in the long-term development of the sport.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 14 August, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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