Egyptian dominance threatens Olympic spot for world number three in women's squash

Imagine being ranked third in the world, but still not making it to the Olympics. It will, by all accounts, hit third in the women's squash world rankings.

When the sport makes its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028, only two players from each country will be allowed. The three right now by far the best players come from Egypt and one must therefore leave.

- I can only think of China's dominance in table tennis as a comparison, otherwise there is probably no sport where a country is so superior, both on the men's and women's side, says Bolbol Aziz.

How does that happen?

- Egypt has not always been good. In the 1970s and 80s they were decent, kept a fairly even level with Sweden. But in the late 90s, Ahmed Barlada emerged as a top player. It was a snowball effect. The government started investing money and sponsors came along. Then it just continued.

- The big media breakthrough came when they set up a glass track at the Pyramids. That competition is still being played and will be decided the week after our competition, says Bolbol Aziz, who himself has roots in Egypt.

How big is sport in Egypt?

- Football is clearly the biggest, before handball. Then squash is probably the biggest among the individual sports. When you arrive at Cairo airport, you see pictures of the best players, they are superstars.

But when it comes to the Olympics, and the limited places, superiority can become a curse. In Egypt, there is concern that countries with strong purchasing power, such as Qatar, will sign some of the top players. The ElShorbagy brothers have been playing in England for a few years now, but they have lived in the country for several years.

In the Swedish Open, the next big star is the first seed in the men's class. Having just turned 19, Mohamed Zackaria has already joined the elite, as world number six.

- My tip is that he succeeds in taking an Olympic place. It is one of the greatest talents Egypt has produced, he has won the Junior World Cup three years in a row.

Sweden, which won the team EC in 1980 and 1983, is now a small player in the squash world. Nevertheless, they have managed to row home a competition at the third level of the world tour with two million in prize money. The Swedish Open will be the biggest Swedish tournament of all time.

- We get here eight of the 20 best men in the world and eight of the best ladies, says Bol Bol Aziz.

- It's fun that they want to come here, because there is tough competition for relatively few ranking points.

The competition runs from 30 September to 4 October and will be played in Roslagshallen and at GIH in Stockholm, where a glass rink will be set up. Not quite on par with the Pyramids, or Grand Central station in New York – or the Eiffel Tower in Paris, where competitions have been held.

- We are happy that we can play at GIH, but in the future I have a dream of having a competition with a glass rink at a historic place in Stockholm, says Bolbol Aziz.