Abu Ali hopes Al Ahly will open Al Masry’s new stadium

Kamel Abu Ali says Al Masry’s new stadium will transform the club and has expressed his hope that Al Ahly will be invited to take part in its opening ceremony.

The Al Masry president was speaking at an event marking the signing of a sponsorship agreement between the club and UAE-based company 9NG, which will feature on the team’s new shirt.

Abu Ali praised Al Ahly and said he wanted the co-operation between the two clubs to continue.

“Al Ahly is a great club. I respect them and thank them for the fruitful co-operation between us, and I hope it continues. Al Ahly are one of the biggest clubs in Egypt and Africa,” Abu Ali told Modern TV.

His comments come amid continued discussion of the relationship between Al Masry and Al Ahly, including potential deals involving players.

Asked about transfers between the clubs, Abu Ali said: “First of all, people know how much I respect Al Ahly. In the end, our only objective is what is best for both teams.”

He also outlined the importance he believes the new stadium will have for Al Masry, insisting its impact would extend beyond providing a new home for the club’s matches.

“The new stadium will change many things at Al Masry, not only because we will play our matches there, but because the entire football structure at the club will change,” he added.

Abu Ali then made clear that he would welcome Al Ahly as the opposition for the stadium’s opening match.

“Al Ahly being present at the stadium opening? Why not? I hope they will be there with all my heart, and they will receive a heroes’ welcome in Port Said,” he said.

Al Masry are preparing to begin their Egyptian Premier League campaign against Smouha in the opening round.

The Port Said club enjoyed a successful previous season after winning the Egyptian League Cup for the first time in their history. They beat ENPPI 3-0 in the final to secure the trophy.

Al Masry finished fifth in last season’s league table, behind Ceramica Cleopatra, who claimed fourth place.

The club’s preparations for the new campaign are therefore taking place alongside plans for the stadium, which Abu Ali believes will lead to wider changes across Al Masry’s football operations. His comments also underline his desire to strengthen relations with Al Ahly, whom he described as one of Egypt and Africa’s leading clubs.

The sponsorship ceremony for the new shirt provided the setting for Abu Ali to discuss both the stadium project and the club’s relationship with Al Ahly. While he did not give details of any possible player agreements, he reiterated that any co-operation should serve both teams.

The timing of the remarks comes as Al Masry look ahead to their first league fixture of the season, following their historic Egyptian League Cup success and a fifth-place finish in the previous Egyptian Premier League campaign.