Ismaily’s Lifeline: Interim Committee Unveils a Rescue Plan for the Struggling Club

Background of the Interim Takeover

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has appointed a temporary committee to run Ismaily SC, chaired by Dr. Tarek Rashid Rahmi. The former board led by Nasser Abu Al Hassan has been suspended pending financial and administrative investigations.

The ministry named Dr. Tarek Rashid Rahmi as head, with Dr. Ibrahim Fares as vice chair and Ali Hussein Al Aswad as secretary. The committee also includes Mustafa Abdul Sattar Musa, Mustafa Amir Darwish Ameero, and Mohamed Ahmed Raif.

Session with the Governor and Financial Hurdles

The committee held a cordial session with Lt. Gen. Akram Galal, the governor of Ismailia, as preparations to officially take the reins continue in the hours ahead.

The meeting underscored the support of the governorate and local authorities to back the new management during this transition period.

Financial challenges dominate the agenda. The interim board aims to mobilize funds to pay long overdue salaries to players and staff, with the goal of disbursing a substantial portion of arrears soon.

Sources say there are ongoing efforts to address potential FIFA and CAS actions, which could complicate matters if debts persist, while the committee works toward sanctionless activity and fresh signings in January.

The plan centers on securing funds to lift the transfer ban and enable the first team to strengthen ahead of the January window.

Outlook, Team News, and Club History

Ismaily faces electricity powered rival Kahraba Ismailia in the 13th round of the Egyptian Premier League, currently sitting 21st with seven points. Captain Mohamed Ammar urged players to begin a new chapter and collect eight remaining points in the first round, stressing the need to capitalize on scoring chances and lean on fan support to start the match with an early goal.

The announced squad for the clash includes goalkeepers Ahmed Adel Abdel Monem and Abdelrahman Gamal; defenders Abdul Rahman Mohammed, Mohamed Ammar, Mohamed Wagdi, Mohamed Nasr, Mohamed Ehab, Abdul Karim Mostafa; midfielders Mohamed Hassan, Anwar Abdul Salam, Mohamed Samir Konta, Abdul Rahman Al Dah, Ali Al Malwani, Hassan Saber, Mohamed Abdel Samae, Omar El Qat, Mohamed Khatari, Nader Faraj; attackers Eric Traore and Khaled Al Nebri.

Ismaily’s history runs deep at over 101 years. The club was the first Arab side to win the CAF Champions League in 1969, led by stars like Ali Abu Jarisha and Mimi Darwish. It has claimed the Egyptian league title in 1966/67, 1990/91, and 2001/02, and the Egypt Cup in 1997 and 2000. The club has produced many notable Egyptian players and has reached continental finals in multiple competitions, signaling a legacy that fans still yearn to reclaim.

With the interim board, Ismaily hopes to restore stability, nurture talent, and return to its status as a cradle of football in Egypt and Africa. The road ahead will require sound finances, effective administration, and continued support from the faithful in Ismailia and beyond.

Punchline time. If this rescue plan needs more fuel, someone should plant a money tree labeled Football Finance and watch the ROI grow. And remember, in football as in life, when the budget is light, the fans bring the thunder—and the snacks to keep morale high.