Egypt
Sarah Hassanein
from Heleoplois

“My life dream is to become the first Egyptian female player to play professionally outside of Egypt.”
The 2000/2001 Egyptian Female Soccer league season was concluded last March with Maaden Club retaining the trophy for the third consecutive time. A hard-fought victory for the team without their star player, Sarah Hassanein. Maaden narrowly defeated El Senbalawin 3-1 in the final.

Sarah’s conspicuous absence in the league season not only had an effect on the performance of her club, but also denied the competition the flavour of a dazzling star who entertains the enthusiastic fans with her creativity on pitch when it matters most. “It was not that easy staying away for a whole season. I had to, in order to concentrate on my studies in preparation for the university entrance examination,” said Sarah, “my family supported me because they felt that I cannot deny myself a good education while pursuing my soccer career. However, I hope to be back next season.” A break from the league season did not mean a break from soccer. Sarah engaged herself in active games, playing with the men's team at Zohour Club. “I train daily with the men to keep fit because my secret as a player is my power and ability to maintain a standard performance throughout the period of play, without running out of steam,” said Sarah.Born a twin in a family of five, Sarah’s twin brother is an active handball player. She took interest in soccer at the age of nine while playing with her brothers.

In 1994, when the pioneer of the sport, Sahar El Hawary, who is also the president of the Egyptian Female Soccer Committee, was resuscitating the sport in Egypt, Sarah joined the new team in formation. Within a short period, Sarah became the toast of the game in a society which disapproved of young women wearing shorts and jerseys, running freely in front of conservative fans. With the assistance of business legend Sahar El Hawary who formed the first women’s soccer team and personally funded the activities of game in Egypt before its recognition by the concerned Egyptian authority, Sarah was brought into the limelight. The recognition of female soccer in the country and the approval of league competitions was a big step forward in Sarah's career. She maintained her loyalty to Maaden club, which groomed her and eventually became a pillar of the champions. She led Maaden club to win the first ever Egyptian Female League in 1998/99 and the first Egyptian Federation Cup in 1999. By 1999/2000 season. The true test of what she really had to offer was in the league final between Maaden and Al Tiran, a club that had an outstanding performance in the season and was hopeful of dethroning Maaden. Beyond all expectations, Maaden came out victorious, crushing Al Tiran 5-0. Sarah scored four out of the five goals to become the first Egyptian soccer player to score so many goals in a final of any soccer tournament.

Sarah extended her achievements to international level, winning the Golden Boot and best Arab player in 1999 Arab Championships in Jordan. She was also the youngest member of the 1999 All Star Team which played and defeated USA 2-1, and the first Arabian female player to participate in such a game. Despite the accolades and great media publicity to her credit for both her achievements and discipline, the gentle and easy-going player believes she still has a long way to go. She considers a professional soccer career an option. “Female soccer in Egypt is growing gradually and, with the support of those who love the game, it will eventually be one of the most popular sport in Egypt,” said Sarah who added that her “best moment as a player was receiving the Best Female Arab Player award in Jordan and playing as a member of the All Star Team that won USA 2-1 in February 1999.”