Mohamed Salama calls for review of Egyptian basketball transfer rules after Dola injury

Mohamed Ahmed Salama, president of Al Ittihad Alexandria, has called on the Egyptian Basketball Federation to reconsider its seasonal transfer regulations, arguing that the current system can leave league champions at a disadvantage.

Under the federation’s rules, the league champions are allowed to sign one player, while the runners-up can make two additions and the team finishing third can make three. Any further signing requires payment of a fee of 3 million Egyptian pounds to the Egyptian Basketball Federation.

Speaking to On Sport FM, Salama said: “Al Ittihad Alexandria’s basketball team is always a reflection of the club. Personally, I am satisfied with what we, as a board of directors, provided for the team last season, whether in terms of recruitment or paying salaries regularly and consistently.”

He added: “Things are difficult in basketball and I hope the Egyptian Basketball Federation discusses changing some of the regulations. For example, the league champion is allowed only one signing. Is winning the title a punishment?”

Salama said the rules should take account of the age profile of squads.

“This thinking must change because there are a number of older players,” he said. “If you have three or four older players, for example, and finish second, your team is then limited to two signings. As a result, you will not be able to make the reinforcements you want.”

He also stressed Al Ittihad Alexandria’s commitment to meeting its obligations, saying: “Basketball’s popularity in Egypt was created inside Al Ittihad Alexandria, and we are committed to paying the prescribed fees and dues to the Egyptian Basketball Federation.”

Salama said the financial pressures in basketball were greater than in football because competitions did not generate income.

“Basketball is more difficult than football because there is no financial return from the tournaments,” he said. “We have a number of basketball players whose contracts are higher than those of football players. This is not only the case at Al Ittihad Alexandria, but also at Al Ahly and Zamalek.”

The club president also revealed that Al Ittihad Alexandria had disagreed with the federation over the handling of احمد عادل “دولا”’s injury while he was with the national team.

“We did have a dispute with the Basketball Federation because of Dola’s injury with the national team,” said Salama. “We informed them that he was injured and explained his condition, but there was insistence from them, along with threats to suspend any player who did not comply with a national-team call-up. It was not only about Dola; it was not personal. The result was that he suffered a torn cruciate ligament.”

Al Ittihad Alexandria have begun their campaign in the Linked League ahead of the new season. Dola will be absent for the rest of the season.

In football, Al Ittihad Alexandria recorded their third successive league victory after drawing one match and losing another in their opening two games. The result moved them to 10 points and sixth place.