After a huge media campaign against squash champion Mohamed El-Shorbagy, after he recently chose to represent England instead of Egypt, the moment has come to test the extent to which the fans were affected by this campaign, during El-Shorbagy's participation in a championship in Egypt.
In his first match on Egyptian soil after naturalization, Mohamed El-Shorbagy beat Egyptian Mazen Hisham 2-1, in the second group of the Eight Greats Squash Championship, held in the 6th of October City from 21 to 26 June.
The Egyptian media had accused El-Shorbagy that his decision was a betrayal of Egypt, but it seems that this campaign did not change the opinion of the fans, who were convinced of the reasons that prompted the player to represent England, which "supported" him for 15 years, according to the player.
Strangely enough, El-Shorbagy, whose neglect and lack of interest in him was one of the reasons he left representing Egypt, became the focus of everyone's attention, whether at the level of the masses or journalists and media professionals who raced to take pictures with him.
A meeting with the star Mohamed El Shorbagy after winning today's match against Mazen Hisham in the CIB International Squash Championship # ONTime_Sports pic.twitter.com/vf2P50O3i0
— OnTime Sports (@ONTimeSports) June 21, 2022
And the official account of the International Federation of Squash Professionals - on Twitter today, Wednesday - published a picture of Al-Shorbagy and around him the Egyptian fans who take souvenir photos with him, while he is in Egypt, commenting on it, "Everyone wants a picture with Muhammad."
Al-Shorbagy responded to Al-Ittihad's tweet by saying, "I will remember what happened today forever."
I will remember what happened today forever ❤️ https://t.co/2YvG57uRKr
— Mohamed ElShorbagy (@MoElshorbagy) June 21, 2022
Egyptian sports journalists and activists interacted with El Shorbagy's first presence in Egypt after his decision to represent England, expressing their happiness at the player's return to Egypt, even if he was of another nationality.
Sports journalist Mohamed Samir published - on his personal account on Twitter - a picture of him with Al-Shorbagy, and wrote on it, "Contrary to the expectations of many people, it may be Muhammad himself. The audience received him in his first match in Egypt after his decision, with great hospitality and encouragement, even after the meeting. Everyone went down to fantasize with him."
And a tweeter published his last memorial photo with Al-Shorbagy, and wrote on it, "With the most Egyptian player who has won squash championships, Mohamed Al-Shorbagy."
Contrary to the expectations of many people, one of them may be Muhammad himself. The audience received him at the first match in Egypt, after his decision, with great hospitality and encouragement.
Even after the whole match, he went down to imagine with him https://t.co/We04sI7j0B pic.twitter.com/6TeTnAzG6m
— Mohamed Samir (@MohamedSamir) June 21, 2022
With the most Egyptian player who has won squash championships, Mohamed El-Shorbagy ❤️🇪🇬 https://t.co/OWPhUv8N7g pic.twitter.com/ueh25aC4c7
— Usama (@mohamedomasry) June 21, 2022
No caption needed
❤️ pic.twitter.com/Tc9uShV2HH
— Amr Fekry (@AmrFekry26) June 21, 2022
Al-Shorbagy is our son ❤️ https://t.co/2aULg8b3MT
— Mohamed Elzawahry (@mohamedelzwahre) June 21, 2022
Ok, I swear to God, a good reaction from people, and charging against him came out on the bait https://t.co/kI6HN8j7MN
— Mohamed Khatab (@iamkhatab) June 21, 2022
Really, I am very happy to receive Muhammad Al-Shorbagy very much from people.
❤️❤️❤️
— 💜🌿🦅KapoOoo (@kapo0074) June 22, 2022
Today was the first match for El Shorbagy after playing for England in Egypt, in front of an Egyptian player, and the match is free to attend.
And very normal, the audience, as usual, encouraged Al-Shorbagy, the popular professional player with sportsmanship.
There is no consolation for the lovers of the part.
— Salah El Mouled (@SalahMElmouled) June 21, 2022