Egyptian Sports Stars Who Fought in the October 1973 War

For some of Egypt’s best-known sports stars, life was about more than pitches, courts and stadiums. Alongside their sporting careers, they served in the Egyptian Armed Forces, with some going on to fight in the October 1973 War.

The fans who knew them for goals, trophies and big performances would have known a very different side of them in uniform. On the 53rd anniversary of the October victory, we revisit the stories of eight Egyptian sports figures who traded their sporting roles for military service, taking part in a defining chapter of the country’s history.

Mahmoud El-Gohary

Mahmoud El-Gohary is one of the most important coaches in the history of Egyptian, Arab and African football. He was also an Egyptian Army officer who took part in the October 1973 War as a lieutenant colonel, eventually retiring as a brigadier general in the Signal Corps.

Samir Zaher

Samir Zaher was a former Al Ahly player and one of the Egyptian FA’s most successful presidents, winning the Africa Cup of Nations three times in a row. He was called up for military service in 1967 and remained in uniform through the October victory. After the war, he retired from playing and moved into football administration.

General Mortagi

Field Marshal Abdel Mohsen Kamel Mortagi, a former Al Ahly president, was known as “the man of war and football.” He graduated from the Military Academy in 1937 and later headed the army’s training authority. From 1963 to 1965, he also commanded the Arab forces in Yemen.

Mortagi received the Military Star of Honor for his service in 1964, before going on to command the ground forces and returning to Yemen in 1966.

Hamada Emam

Hamada Emam was a star for Egypt and Zamalek in the 1960s. A graduate of the Military Academy, he served as an Armed Forces officer and took part in the October 1973 War. He later retired as a colonel and went on to work as a sports commentator and administrator, including as deputy head of the Egyptian FA.

Mahmoud Bakr

Mahmoud Bakr was a star for Alexandria’s Olympic Club and later became one of the most recognisable commentators in Egyptian football. He joined the Armed Forces in 1967 and served as a captain in the infantry’s reconnaissance branch. He fought in the 1973 War before retiring as a colonel and moving into administration, eventually becoming president of the Olympic Club.

Fekry Saleh

Fekry Saleh played for Zamalek before building a career as a goalkeeper coach, including at Wadi Degla and with the former Olympic team. He is also the youngest goalkeeper coach in the history of the national team. During the October War, he served as a commando (Saiqa) officer.

Hossam Taha

Hossam Taha, a former international referee, served as an officer in the supply and logistics branch during the October War. After the war, he continued to rise through the ranks, holding several posts before eventually settling at the Air Force Hospital, where he remained until retirement.

Sabry Serag

Sabry Serag was a Zamalek basketball player and later served as the club’s vice president. He was among those who served during the October War, losing his arm after being injured during infantry training in the 1973 war.