The Egyptian Kickboxing Federation, led by Mohamed Sabih, has announced the details of athlete Mohamed Abdel Fattah's absence from the Egyptian delegation returning from Italy. Abdel Fattah, a 15-year-old silver medalist, disappeared after the final match of the World Youth and Junior Championships in Giesolo, Italy, on September 27, 2026. According to the federation, Abdel Fattah informed his teammates that he was going to the restroom but never returned.
The incident occurred during the final match of Basma El-Arabi, where Egyptian team members were in the stands to support her. The federation reported that Abdel Fattah's disappearance was discovered when the team was about to leave the competition venue. Mohamed Sabih immediately informed the relevant authorities in Cairo and the Egyptian embassy in Italy about the incident and filed a formal report.
The Egyptian Kickboxing Federation has taken necessary measures, including reporting the incident to the relevant authorities and involving the Egyptian embassy in Italy. The federation's management has also assigned the legal affairs committee to pursue the necessary legal procedures against those responsible for the incident. The athlete's passport is in the possession of the team leader, and his luggage remains in the hotel.
The incident does not overshadow the achievements of the Egyptian team, which won eight medals, including six silver and two bronze, at the World Youth and Junior Championships. The silver medal winners are Mohamed Ibrahim Abou Zeid, Youssef Adel, Mohamed Abdel Fattah, Ehsan Abu El-Majd, Mariam Abdel Monem, and Basma El-Arabi, while Rahma Mohamed and Gennie Mostafa won the bronze medals.
The Egyptian team was led by Mohamed Sabih, the founder and president of the Egyptian Kickboxing Federation. The technical staff consisted of Mohamed Farouk, Islam Abu Quresh, and Mariam Yahia. The team included players from the youth and junior teams, such as Karim Mohamed, Adam Mohamed, and Ahmed Jihad.
The World Youth and Junior Championships took place in Giesolo, Italy, from September 18 to 27, 2026, with participation from over 60 countries. The Egyptian team aimed to present strong performances and compete for top positions in the various competitions. The federation is working closely with the concerned authorities and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to resolve the issue.
The Egyptian Kickboxing Federation will continue to pursue the necessary procedures to address the incident and ensure the athlete's safe return. The incident raises concerns about the safety and well-being of athletes during international competitions. The federation's efforts to resolve the situation are ongoing.
Key points
- The Egyptian Kickboxing Federation reports Mohamed Abdel Fattah's disappearance to authorities.
- The Egyptian team achieves eight medals at the World Youth and Junior Championships.
- The federation assigns the legal affairs committee to pursue procedures against those responsible.
