Africa Daily
Africa Daily
Why are street football tournaments a Ramadan tradition in Egypt?
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March 27, 2025
17 minutes
Available for over a year
“You cannot feel that you’re fasting when you’re playing. No water, no food, but it’s still very exciting to finish and to score"
Ramadan is a time for prayer and reflection worldwide. But in Egypt they mark it using one of their nationwide passions: football.
Since the 1960s street football tournaments have spread to every town – involving everyone from professional footballers to children and old men. A woman’s tournament is in its infancy.
Some footballers have even been slapped with heavy fines by their clubs for taking part – but many remain undeterred, as it’s such a part of Ramadan tradition and culture.
PRESENTER: Alan @Kasujja
GUESTS: 70 year old Elsayed Mohamed and his son, football journalist, Mohamed Kutbah, and Hamada Elalfy, one of the organisers of the Mit Rumi tournament.