Egypt has named former Al Ahly and national handball star Gohar Nabil as the new Minister of Youth and Sports following a cabinet reshuffle announced by the House of Representatives.
The decision marks a change in leadership at the ministry, with Nabil succeeding Dr. Ashraf Sobhi.
The announcement was made by Counselor Hisham Badawi, Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives, who revealed the final list of ministerial changes during a parliamentary session held to deliberate on the reshuffle. The Speaker also read a message from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi outlining the new government formation.
The appointment of Gohar Nabil comes as part of broader changes aimed at renewing the government’s structure and addressing accumulated challenges across several sectors. His selection has been widely noted within sporting circles, given his long-standing association with Egyptian sports both as a player and administrator.
Nabil is a prominent figure in Egypt’s handball history and was a key member of the golden generation of the national team. He represented Al Ahly Club between 1990 and 2003 and played for the Egyptian national team throughout the same period. His international career included appearances at three Olympic Games, in 1992, 1996 and 2000, and he was awarded the Order of Sports of the First Class following Egypt’s triumph at the 1993 Youth World Cup.
After retiring from professional play, Nabil transitioned into sports administration, serving on Al Ahly’s board of directors and contributing to the management and organisation of various sporting disciplines. His administrative experience has been viewed as a significant factor behind his elevation to ministerial office.
Nabil’s career path also includes a brief and unusual episode, having started in Al Ahly’s youth ranks before spending six months at Zamalek without being registered, eventually returning to the Red Castle to continue his development across its teams.
An interesting coincidence links the new minister with Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, as both were handball players. Former Zamalek president Dr. Kamal Darwish previously revealed that Madbouly played handball for Zamalek before ending his sporting career early after being appointed as a university teaching assistant.
With his appointment, Gawhar Nabil takes on the responsibility of leading Egypt’s youth and sports sector at a time of transition, drawing on a career that bridges elite competition and sports governance.
