Color of Hockey: Egypt program making huge strides on, off ice

An organization dedicated to expanding the gaming industry in our country is actively striving to assist children who have been displaced or orphaned.

William Douglas has been writing The Color of Hockey blog since 2012. Douglas joined NHL.com in 2019 and writes about people of color in the sport. Today, he profiles Egypt Ice Hockey, which hosted Egypt Ice Hockey Cares 2024, an event at an ice rink in a mall in Cairo for orphans, children displaced by regional conflicts and other youth on July 5.

Egypt Ice Hockey aims to achieve success both on the ice and through philanthropic endeavors within its homeland.

On July 5, the program organized Egypt Ice Hockey Cares 2024, a memorable day filled with skating, face painting, and various activities. Over 200 orphans, children affected by regional conflicts, and other young individuals gathered at a rink in Sun City Mall in Cairo to partake in the event.

Yasser Ahmed, a member of Egypt Ice Hockey residing in New Jersey, expressed their deep connection to Egypt despite living in the U.S. They have a strong desire to contribute to their homeland. Reflecting on the event, Yasser shared that it was a resounding success. Everyone seemed to have a fantastic time. Witnessing the joy on the faces of children who had never experienced ice skating or seen ice before was particularly heartwarming. It provided them with a few hours of happiness, temporarily alleviating any challenges they may be facing.

It was the third such event hosted by Egypt Ice Hockey, which hopes to grow the sport in its nation and aspires to someday send teams to the Winter Olympics.

“The provision of food and clothing is commonly extended to orphans, the disabled, and refugees,” stated Sameh Ramadan, a managing member of Egypt Ice Hockey. He further added, “However, the opportunity for enjoyment, or what I refer to as the luxury of being on the ice, is rarely offered in the midst of the desert. Our initiative began with a few orphanages in Alexandria and Cairo, and it has since expanded.”

Ramadan, a New Jersey native, explained that the way they coordinate is by discussing with Yasser and other managing members about their plans to visit Cairo and figuring out when their schedules align. Once a suitable date is agreed upon, they all work together to ensure a successful event, focusing on maximizing attendance, locating suitable venues, and creating an enjoyable day for all the children involved.

This year’s event was part of a busy and historic season for Egypt Ice Hockey. The program launched Egypt’s first women’s ice hockey team that debuted in April at the inaugural Dream Nations Cup for emerging hockey nations at The Rink at American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

From August 21st to 25th, the female and male Division III teams from Egypt, along with a coed Under-16 team, will participate in the 2024 Amerigol LATAM Cup. The event will take place at the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs, Florida.

The annual tournament, backed by the Panthers, NHL, and NHL Players Association, will feature 1,100 players from 17 countries, and they will be part of it.

Egypt Ice Hockey is currently in the process of seeking associate membership in the International Ice Hockey Federation. It aspires to become part of the expanding group of IIHF full and associate members in the Middle East and Africa, which includes Algeria, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates.

In order for Egypt Ice Hockey to fulfill its dreams of playing on ice by the Pyramids and the Nile River, the country must have a full-sized NHL or international rink. Currently, Cairo, Egypt’s largest city with nearly 23 million inhabitants, only possesses three ice rinks that are approximately 20 percent of the size of an NHL rink.

According to Ahmed, organizing events such as Egypt Ice Hockey Cares provides an opportunity for Egypt Ice Hockey to make a positive impact on the community, all the while raising awareness about the program and working towards its goals.

Ahmed stated that with each event they organize, they consistently achieve something remarkable due to the seemingly implausible concept of hockey in Egypt. He further expressed that every accomplishment fills them with pride, as it reflects the significant progress they have made so far.