Egypt investigates wrestler Ziad Haggag after leaving team accommodation in Slovakia

Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has opened an investigation into the departure of wrestler Ziad Haggag from the Egyptian delegation’s accommodation in Slovakia after he completed his participation in the World Wrestling Championships for Youth.

The ministry said it had immediately contacted officials from the Egyptian Wrestling Federation and the head of the delegation following the incident.

Those officials have been instructed to take all necessary legal measures and prepare a detailed report setting out the circumstances of what happened, as well as the actions taken in response.

An official report has also been filed, with the ministry stressing that legal procedures concerning Haggag must continue in line with the findings of the investigation.

The ministry has not disclosed where the wrestler went after leaving the accommodation.

It said all sports federations had been instructed to comply with the legal rules and procedures governing overseas travel by athletes representing Egypt. Those requirements apply from the moment a delegation leaves the country until all its members return home, including the formal declarations and undertakings required before departure.

According to the ministry, the travel authorisation for the delegation included a commitment to return every member to Egypt once the competition had ended, in accordance with the regulations and decisions governing sports delegations.

The ministry also revealed that Haggag’s parent or legal guardian had signed a declaration accepting responsibility for ensuring the wrestler returned to Egypt before the delegation travelled to Slovakia.

It has now directed officials to provide all documents and information connected with the incident. The aim is to establish the full extent of responsibility, both on the part of the athlete and in relation to the organisational and administrative arrangements made for the delegation.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports said representing the national teams was both an honour and a responsibility. It added that it would not tolerate breaches of the rules or regulations, and that any party found to have been negligent or to have violated the relevant procedures would be held accountable.

At the same time, the ministry said the rights of athletes would be protected and that every measure would be taken in accordance with the law.

The investigation follows Haggag’s participation in the World Wrestling Championships for Youth in Slovakia. The ministry’s statement did not provide further details about the event, the nature of the alleged breach or the specific legal measures that may be taken against the wrestler.

It said the investigation and the documents requested from the delegation would be used to clarify all aspects of the case before responsibility was determined.