Zamalek Club Elections: Happy, Sad, and Hopeful By Hossam Badrawi

• I am happy about the victory of Ibrahim Zaher and about half of his slate, and I am also happy about how close the vote counts were among the three presidential candidates, with only a very small margin separating them—clear evidence of real competition.

• I am also pleased with the success of those who won among the members; all of them are competent, capable, and deserving of the trust of the General Assembly—most importantly, deserving of sustaining that trust in the years to come.

I am happy about the new members and about the spirit I sensed in them when I discussed matters with some of them before the elections. I expect success for them and for the club.

However, I am saddened by the voter turnout among club members, which I estimate at only about 16% of those eligible to vote. This is a very low and troubling percentage.

Unfortunately, the general state of societal apathy has been reflected among club members, and we must address this—at least within the circle of our historic club.

Number of General Assembly Members Eligible to Vote

According to what was announced by the judicial committee supervising the Zamalek Club elections, the number of General Assembly members entitled to vote reached 59,112 members.

This includes all active members registered in the membership rolls who fulfilled the subscription requirements for the current year and were therefore eligible to cast their votes.

Voter Participation Rate

Approximately 14–16% of registered members participated. This is an unofficial estimate pending the issuance of the official statement by the judicial committee announcing the full voting results, including the number of valid and invalid ballots.

Presidential Seat Results

• Ibrahim Zaher: 3,872

• Farnawani: 3,825

• Refai: 3,283

These figures reflect respectable competition and indicate that the elected president must work to unify efforts, bring people together, and implement what was promised—along with the group of members who were elected.

Key Features of Ibrahim Zaher’s Program for the Presidency of Zamalek Club (as I understood it from his group)

1. Building and developing Zamalek Club – Sheikh Zayed branch
   Making use of the club’s unused spaces, which could become a funding source for the club’s treasury and help improve service quality at both branches.

2. Infrastructure development

   • Completing and upgrading sports and social facilities according to a clear timeline.

   • Regular maintenance of fields, swimming pools, and service facilities.

   • Improving the use of internal spaces without compromising the club’s historical character.

3. Administrative modernization and governance

   • A modern administration based on transparency and financial discipline.

   • Activating digital transformation in services (subscriptions, reservations, complaints).

   • Clear presentation of budgets and project expenditures to the General Assembly.

4. Focus on youth and sports

   • Supporting youth teams and sports academies as the future of the club.

   • Developing both individual and team sports, without focusing on only one discipline.

   • Discovering and nurturing talent within a professional system.

5. Restoring the social and cultural role

   • Reinstating Zamalek Club as an inclusive space for all generations.

   • Cultural, artistic, and social activities befitting the club’s history.

   • Special attention to families, seniors, and children.

6. Preserving the club’s identity

   • Emphasizing that development does not mean compromising the spirit and rich history of Zamalek Club.

   • Respecting the club’s traditions and values while embracing modern administrative thinking.

7. Improving food services

   • High quality at prices that do not burden members.

8. Prioritizing the comfort of senior members and founding members

Significance of the Victory

The victory of Ibrahim Zaher—as the youngest president in the history of Zamalek Club—represents:

• A message of trust from the General Assembly in young leadership.

• A clear desire for renewal without a break from history.

• The beginning of a new phase titled: A historic club with a modern mindset.

What I Expect from the New Board

I expect their vision to be translated into programs with clear timelines and performance indicators, so that Zamalek Club becomes a model to be emulated among clubs—and even within society.