Al-Ittihad Alexandria gain valuable preparation in Damascus but admit they are not at their best

Al-Ittihad Alexandria have benefited from their training camp and participation in the Damascus International Friendly Tournament, although basketball director Ayman Sedky says the team have yet to reach their best level.

The tournament is being held from 8 October to 16 October, with Al-Ittihad Alexandria among nine teams taking part in the Damascus Club Championship.

The competition also features Al-Ittihad Libya, Al-Nasr UAE, Sharjah UAE, the Syria Olympic team, Al-Jaish Syria, Al-Wahda Syria, Interaniq Lebanon and NSA Lebanon.

Speaking to FilGoal.com, Sedky said the camp had been an important part of the club’s preparations for the different competitions of the new season.

“Having the team in a camp in Syria is very important as we prepare for the various competitions this season,” said Sedky.

Al-Ittihad Alexandria have not travelled with their complete squad, with several players unavailable for different reasons.

“We missed Ahmed Adel because of his anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Sami Iraqi will return in four weeks,” Sedky said.

“Malek Yasser was also unable to travel because of his military service.”

Despite those absences, Sedky believes the players available to the coaching staff have made good use of the camp and the matches in Syria.

“We benefited greatly from having all the available players together with the coaching staff in an excellent camp, as well as playing matches of different levels,” he added.

Al-Ittihad face Al-Jaish Syria

Al-Ittihad Alexandria played four matches during the tournament, with the games increasing in difficulty.

“We played four matches of gradually increasing levels, and the best of them was against Al-Ittihad Libya,” said Sedky.

The Egyptian side were due to face Al-Jaish Syria in the quarter-finals on Tuesday. The semi-finals are scheduled for Thursday, with the final to be played on Friday.

Sedky also outlined the team’s travel plans after the tournament, saying they are scheduled to return to Cairo on Saturday morning from Beirut Airport.

The club’s attention will then turn to the second round of the Linked League, while the Basketball Super League and the Egypt Cup remain their main priorities.

“We are preparing for the second round of the Linked League,” Sedky said. “Our priority is the Basketball Super League and the Egypt Cup.”

Asked which team could emerge as their leading rival this season, Sedky refused to single out one opponent and stressed that the campaign remained at an early stage.

“We look at all the teams with respect,” he said. “We are still at the beginning of the journey and have not reached our best level so far.”