Mahmoud El-Khatib explains why he changed his mind about the Al Ahly presidency

Mahmoud El-Khatib, the president of Egypt’s Al Ahly Club, revealed that he decided to run for another term in the club’s leadership despite overcoming many personal challenges including health issues that often made him consider stepping away from his public role.

He explained that the call to continue wasn’t just his own, but rather the result of a groundswell of requests from within the Al Ahly organization and the passion of its fans who urged him not to leave.

Speaking at a campaign event at the Sheikh Zayed branch, El-Khatib described how his medical team originally advised him to take a full break, leading him to inform the board of his intention not to run. Yet, as he put it, he was “deeply moved by those who pleaded with me to remain, both from inside the club and among its supporters, who raised banners asking me to stay. This made me feel an even greater responsibility toward the club.”

He added that, as part of the new administration, tasks would be distributed among council members and he might be absent at times on medical advice. However, he voiced “great confidence in every member of the team,” emphasizing their collective goal to keep Al Ahly at the top.

El-Khatib underlined the club’s remarkable achievements in recent years and its transformation into a leader in Egyptian sports, crediting teamwork, innovation, and a sense of family for their ongoing success