Egypt mixing sports, politics with new party-affiliated club
Egypt’s largest political party, the Nation’s Future Party, announced recently the establishment of its own sports club, sparking major controversy in the country.
CAIRO — Egypt's largest political party, the Nation’s Future Party, announced June 13 the establishment of its own sports club, the Nation’s Future Sports Club.
This decision sparked confusion on the Egyptian political scene, with the existence of more than 90 political parties established following the January 25 Revolution that overthrew Hosni Mubarak’s regime.
What's more controversial is the fact that the Egyptian law and constitution strictly prohibit sports clubs from exercising political action or establishing political parties. Article 87 of the constitution stipulates, “The use of public funds, government agencies, public facilities, places of worship, business sector establishments and nongovernmental organizations and institutions for political purposes and electioneering is forbidden.”
In June 2017, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ratified the Youth Institutions Law, which bans youth institutions, including sports clubs, from practicing political, partisan or religious activities.
