From the pitch to the front line: Egyptian sports stars who participated in the October War

The October 6 War of 1973 was not far from the stars of Egyptian sports, as a number of players and athletes donned military uniforms and participated in the war, leaving the fields and heading to the battlefields, creating stories that are no less significant than their sporting careers.

Mahmoud El-Gohary, known as the 'General', was a prominent figure both on the pitch and in the broader football landscape. His contributions to the game have left a lasting impact.

Mahmoud El-Gohary is among the athletes associated with the October War. The historic coach of the Egypt national team was an officer in the Signal Corps and participated in the war with the rank of Major, before ending his military service with the rank of Brigadier. El-Gohary previously stated that October was a turning point in his life, noting his participation in commando operations with the Second Army and his role as a liaison officer between the command and the troops on the front during the defense against the Chinese Farm breach.

Hamada Imam, the star of Zamalek SC, who wore military attire.

Hamada Imam, one of the standout stars of Zamalek and the Egypt national team, had a career that extended beyond football, having graduated from the military academy and served as an officer in the armed forces. The fox participated in the October War before ending his military career with the rank of colonel, successfully balancing achievements on the pitch with military service.

Mahmoud Bakr has transitioned from the stardom of Al Olimbi to the front line.

Mahmoud Bakr, the star of El Olimbi Club and later a famous sports commentator, joined the armed forces after the 1967 war and participated in the October War of 1973 with the rank of Captain. During that time, he served in the reconnaissance branch of the infantry before ending his military service with the rank of Colonel.

Sabri Siraj's story highlights the price an athlete pays for participation. His journey reflects the sacrifices made in the pursuit of sports.

One of the most impactful stories is that of Sabri Siraj, a former Zamalek player in handball, who participated in the October War as part of the armed forces. During his service with the air defense forces in the Third Field Army, he lost his arm, becoming one of the most prominent athletes whose careers are linked to the sacrifices of the war.

Abdo Abu Hussein, a player for El Masry SC, has not returned to the pitch.

Not all athletes who participated in the war returned to the world of sports, as El Masry SC player Abdo Abu Hussein was among those who were martyred during the October War. Abu Hussein was a conscript in the armed forces, and his name remains present in the history of the Port Said club as one of its sons who participated in the war and paid the ultimate price for it.

Thus, the tales of Egyptian sports in October 1973 were not limited to competition on the fields, but extended to the front lines, where several of its stars took up arms instead of the ball, writing a different chapter in their history, between those who returned to continue their sports careers, those for whom the war left a lasting mark on their bodies, and those who never returned.