Back at the Helm: Mahmoud El-Khatib Re-elected by Acclamation to Lead Al Ahly into a New Era
3 octobre 2025
Election filings close as Al Ahly's presidential race moves to assembly
The elections committee of Al Ahly has announced the official closing of nominations for the club's presidency, ahead of the scheduled general assembly on October 30-31, 2025.
The committee revealed the list of candidates: Mahmoud Al-Khatib for president, Yaseen Mansour for vice president, and Khaled Mortaji for treasurer. For senior membership, candidates include: Tarek Kandil, Mohamed Ghazawy, Mohamed Demati, Mohamed Garahi, Syd Abdul Hafiz, Ahmed Hossam Awad, Hazem Hilal, Manar Said, Hassan Tantawi, Ahmed Sherif, and Ahmed Magdi Al-Haywan.
For junior membership, Ibrahim Al-Amri and Rawda Hisham were nominated. The committee noted that the board will review all papers this week before forwarding them to the competent administrative authority to complete the necessary formalities.
The league context was highlighted with a forthcoming Egyptian Premier League match between Ismailia Electricity (Kahraba Ismailia) and Al Ahly, scheduled for October 4, 2025 at 7:00 PM, a game that could influence the club's morale ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, the General Assembly is set to convene with the ordinary session on October 30-31, 2025, to discuss and vote on the club's leadership for the 2025-2029 term. The executive board, led by the club's secretary-general, Dr. Saad Shalaby, will handle administrative arrangements and share details with members within the established timelines.
Acclamations to the slate
Mahmoud El-Khatib, the current president, confirmed his candidacy for the presidency in the October 31 election after the nomination window opened, while health considerations influenced his perspective. In a formal statement to members and fans, he stressed his lifelong devotion to Al Ahly and his gratitude for decades of support, noting that health concerns in 2023 necessitated a period of rest and that medical advice urged him to avoid stress, aligning with the club's best interests.
He added that after private and public consultations, a plan to continue contributing to Al Ahly's leadership, in line with his health, had been crafted. He thanked the members and fans for their ongoing support and insisted that the club deserves stability and continued progress.
Khateeb's track record
Since taking the helm in December 2017, El-Khatib has presided over a period of notable growth both on and off the field. In sport, he led the team to CAF Champions League titles in 2020, 2021, and 2023, along with multiple Egyptian league titles, domestic cups, and local and continental success. The club has also achieved historic appearances in the FIFA Club World Cup, finishing in the top three on three occasions.
Administratively, El-Khatib oversaw infrastructure development, including the opening of a new branch in the Fifth Settlement and upgrades to Sheikh Zayed and Gezira Island facilities, plus several initiatives aimed at strengthening the club's financial base amid broader financial challenges facing sports clubs.
In line with the candidacy, El-Khatib's list includes Yaseen Mansour as vice president, Khaled Mortaji as treasurer, and senior board members: Tarek Kandil, Mohamed Ghazawy, Mohamed Demati, Mohamed Garahi, Syd Abdul Hafiz, Ahmed Hossam Awad, and Hazem Hilal; under-age members are Ibrahim Al-Amri and Rawda Hisham. The slate was filed before Friday's deadline, according to Kooora.
Ultimately, the election committee and club leadership proceed with verification and assembly preparations, with final validation contingent on 25% of in-person attendees on October 31. The club's leadership trajectory aims for continuity and sustained success.
Punchline time: If Al Ahly's executive meetings were a football match, the snacks would win the trophy. And if jokes counted as trophies, I’d already be lifting the Comedy Champions League. Here’s to hoping the next term brings as many goals as good laughs.
