Egypt table tennis coach removed from federation after 10-year-old player slapped

The Egyptian Table Tennis Federation has removed محمد ممتاز, the coach of 10-year-old player زينة فاروق, from its records after an incident in which she was slapped during the World Hope Week competition in Sheffield.

The federation said محمد ممتاز would be banned from taking part in any activity connected with table tennis following the incident, which occurred during the event for under-12 boys and girls.

The competition was held in the English city of Sheffield during October. زينة فاروق was slapped in the face by her coach after completing one of her matches at the tournament.

Egypt’s Ministry of Youth and Sports said in an official statement on Tuesday that it had given the Egyptian Table Tennis Federation only 48 hours to notify it of the outcome of its investigation into the incident involving the player.

The federation’s board, led by Ashraf Helmy, held an emergency meeting on Wednesday, 28 October, to examine the circumstances and decide on the necessary action.

In a statement, the federation said: “In light of the incident that took place during the World Hope Week competition, held in Sheffield during October, involving the appearance of محمد ممتاز, the coach of player زينة فاروق, slapping her in the face after the end of one of her matches at the tournament.”

“The board of directors of the Egyptian Table Tennis Federation, chaired by Ashraf Helmy, held an emergency meeting today, Wednesday, 28 October, to discuss the circumstances of the incident and take the necessary measures.”

It added: “محمد ممتاز has been removed from the federation’s records and prohibited from participating in any activity related to the sport of table tennis.”

The federation also said it had submitted the findings of its investigation to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Egyptian Olympic Committee so that each body could take the action required within its area of responsibility.

It said: “The Egyptian Table Tennis Federation fully respects the moral, technical and sporting rights of all male and female players, and completely rejects any practices that conflict with the ethical values and principles on which sport is based.”

“The federation stresses that the primary purpose of sport is not limited to achieving results and competing, but also extends to establishing the values of respect, discipline and sportsmanship, while providing a safe environment that protects the dignity and rights of players.”

It added that safeguarding players and preserving their dignity were among its highest priorities, and said it would not tolerate practices that violated sporting or ethical values.