When Legends Return: Mahmoud Al-Khatib Re-enters the Ahly Presidency Race

Mahmoud Al-Khatib, the incumbent president of Egypt’s Al Ahly, announced his intention to stand in the club’s elections and continue his mission, despite health challenges that briefly pushed him toward stepping back from public life. He framed the decision as a response to the club’s system and the overwhelming desire of its supporters to sustain momentum and chase further achievements.

During a campaign event at the Sheikh Zayed branch, his medical team reportedly urged complete rest to avoid stress, prompting an initial message to the board about stepping away. However, after an internal consensus among board members, company executives, sponsors, and fans, he reversed course and committed to the race.

Health, Commitment, and the Rallying Call

“I deeply appreciate everyone who urged me to continue, both from inside the club and among its fans,” Al-Khatib said. “That collective call strengthened my sense of responsibility toward the club, and I decided to persevere while carefully watching my health.” He added that files would be shared with the new board and that he trusts each candidate to add value to the club and ensure Ahly remains a global leader.

He underscored the importance of transparency, noting that the General Assembly has a right to review past achievements and future plans. The vision he outlined centers on preserving the club’s history and developing assets to drive sustainable, global growth.

Vision, Governance, and the Road Ahead

“Since 2017 we have operated with a clear vision: Ahly as a club of principles, history, and development,” he explained. “That vision required professional management, genuine investment, and resourceful financing to fund projects and upgrade services—progress achieved through collective effort.”

Al-Khatib praised the loyalty of members and supporters, stressing that the club belongs to those who dedicate themselves to its creed. He highlighted the productive periods 2017–2021 and 2021–2025 as the result of the work of devoted club members who have given their all for the entity.

The veteran leader also saluted the late Amr Farouk, former deputy president, for his enduring contributions. He pointed to the cooperative drafting of the Club Constitution—created through broad societal dialogue—as a roadmap that protects the club’s rights and steers its future.

“The club is undergoing a substantial economic transformation thanks to teamwork and a forward-looking investment strategy,” he noted. Ahly’s numerous affiliated companies were cited as pivotal in expanding revenue streams and supporting the club’s activities, with the business arm seen as essential for long-term sustainability.

Corporate and Media Dimensions

In discussing the organizational framework, Al-Khatib highlighted the strategic role of Ahly’s services and real estate ventures, and the positive impact of the Al Ahly Football Company in leveraging player rights and enhancing financial returns. He also singled out the Al Ahly Establishments for Facilities and the leadership of board members who contributed to these initiatives.

On the media front, he praised the strength of the club’s communications, emphasizing Channel Al Ahly as a cornerstone of the media ecosystem and thanking CEO Dr. Saad Shalaby for steering the marketing philosophy that underpins the club’s outreach efforts.

Regarding personnel, he noted that Ahly was among the early adopters of a minimum wage policy, with the club’s budget showing unprecedented growth: from 800 million EGP in 2017 to 2.5 billion by the end of the first term, and 8.5 billion in the second term, with all branch land payments fully owned by the club. He stressed that these figures reflect ambition rather than finality and called for continued focus on expansion and service delivery.

Looking back at achievements in football and other sports, Al-Khatib attributed success to planning, coordination, and collective effort from the entire Ahly community.

Punchline alert 1: If leadership were a shot, Al-Khatib just loaded a full clip—health permitting, of course; if not, we’ll settle for a legendary bench press of patience. Punchline alert 2: Ahly doesn’t do half-measures—either we win, or we rewrite the rulebook while sipping tea with the referee. Buckle up, rivals: the comeback is coming in hot.