Egyptian handball player Sif El-Dera has spoken out against the scheduling of his team's match against Brazilian side Pinheiros in the IHF Super Globe. The match took place on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the same time as Friday prayers in Egypt. El-Dera, who plays for Barcelona, expressed his disappointment with the scheduling conflict, stating that it is not acceptable to play during prayer time in a Muslim country like Egypt.
El-Dera revealed that he had to leave the match during the first half to perform his prayers and then return to the game. He questioned why the match against Pinheiros was not rescheduled, citing a previous instance where the match between Zamalek and Moroccan side Al Ahly was rescheduled due to a similar conflict. El-Dera emphasized the importance of respecting Islamic traditions and customs in Egypt.
Barcelona won the match against Pinheiros with a score of 44-33. The IHF Super Globe is being hosted in Egypt, and El-Dera's team is competing in the tournament alongside Zamalek and other teams. El-Dera's comments highlight the challenges of scheduling international sports events in countries with different cultural and religious practices.
El-Dera also spoke about the need for balance between respecting cultural differences and adhering to international sports schedules. He noted that when playing in Europe, he and his teammates respect local customs, but they should not be expected to compromise their own values and traditions. El-Dera's statements have sparked a discussion about the importance of cultural sensitivity in international sports.
The incident has raised questions about the planning and organization of the IHF Super Globe. The tournament features teams from around the world, and the scheduling of matches needs to take into account the cultural and religious practices of the participating countries. El-Dera's comments are likely to be taken into consideration by the tournament organizers and the International Handball Federation.
Zamalek, another Egyptian team competing in the tournament, has also had a significant win, defeating Moroccan side Al Ahly 42-17. The Egyptian teams are competing in Group 1 of the tournament, alongside Barcelona and Pinheiros. The IHF Super Globe is an important international handball competition, and the Egyptian teams are looking to make a strong impression in the tournament.
El-Dera's team, Barcelona, is one of the top handball teams in Europe, and they will be looking to win the tournament. The team's performance in the IHF Super Globe will be closely watched by handball fans around the world. The tournament provides an opportunity for teams to compete against the best teams from around the world and to showcase their skills and strategies.
Key points
- Egyptian handball player Sif El-Dera criticizes scheduling conflict that forced his team to play during Friday prayers.
