With victory at the recent Women’s World Team Squash Championships in Hong Kong, China, Egypt’s national team secured their fourth triumph in a row – a feat that cemented their unparalleled dominance in modern women’s squash.
Yet this extraordinary run of success was unthinkable just two decades ago.
Before their first breakthrough victory in 2008, Egyptian women’s squash existed in relative obscurity, overshadowed by their male counterparts and the global dominance of nations like England and Australia. That 2008 win, however, marked the dawn of a new era – one that was built on the vision and perseverance of Dr. Samiha Aboul Magd, whose tireless efforts laid the foundations for Egypt’s current golden age.
The idea of Egypt fielding a women’s team capable of competing – let alone dominating – on the world stage was almost inconceivable in the early 1990s. Women’s squash in the country was virtually nonexistent, with only a handful of players and no international presence, and not a single player on the PSA World Tour rankings.
Dr. Samiha, a Professor of Ophthalmology and an ardent squash enthusiast, saw the potential for change and made it her mission to build a pathway for Egyptian girls to enter the sport and in 1992 became the first woman to join the Egyptian Squash Federation – a moment that changed the face of the game forever.
“Without her, we would not be where we are today and women’s squash in Egypt would not be anywhere near where it is,” said former World No.1 Raneem El Welily.
“She fought for women’s squash every day at a time when there was no support for women’s sport. Before her, women’s squash in Egypt was nothing and I don’t think that we would have had, or maybe even now wouldn’t have, a women’s team if it wasn’t for her impact on the sport.”
As Egyptian champion for almost a decade, Dr Samiha became the first Egyptian female to qualify for the British Open in 1980, and again in 1981, where on both occasions she was inspired by the level of women’s squash she was able to watch.
“She was the national Egyptian champion at a time when there was very little competition in the game, so when she came to the British Open in 1980, we knew very little of her,” said Andrew Shelley, former World Squash CEO, who first encountered Dr Samiha during that 1980 British Open.
“But her passion for the game, and her passion for women’s squash, were evident from our first meeting and you could tell that she was a force of nature. When she joined the Egyptian Federation in 1992, she became the driving force behind the growth of women’s squash in the country.
“She was a truly lovely woman, who I have been fortunate to count as a friend for so many years. She was called the ‘Mother of Egyptian squash’ on account of her impact, but also because she became like a parent to those girls during that 1993 and subsequent championships. Her motivation was deep set and it was she that pushed the clubs and federation to develop the girls game in the country.”
Her groundbreaking work began with the formation of Egypt’s first girls team for the 1993 World Junior Championships, a remarkable achievement given the lack of resources and institutional support. While most teams travelled with four players, a coach and support team, Dr Samiha had been allowed to take just three girls and no coaches.
So, acting as parent, nutritionist, coach and guardian, she, along with players Maha Zein, Salma Shabana and May Hegazy,
travelled to Kuala Lumpur, where they stunned the squash world- against all odds, that fledgling squad placed third, signalling the start of a transformation that would eventually see Egypt emerge as the preeminent power in women’s squash.
“She takes three girls to the World Juniors in 1993, she wasn’t allowed a coach or a trainer, and these girls, who have never been outside of Egypt before, not only do they play in this event, they get to the semifinals and beat England in the third place play off,” said squash historian James Zug.
“From nothing, these girls under Dr Samiha’s guidance, they upset the status quo and make a name for themselves in the international scene.
“Fast forward to 1996 and the iconic Al Ahram tournament happens, Ahmed Barada gets to the final and it’s an incredible moment for Egyptian squash as the sport suddenly becomes known about. Thousands of youngsters then take up the sport and its not just boys, but girls and women as well. Without Dr Samiha’s work in the years previous there would have been no avenue for those girls to go down.”
From a debut team appearance in 1993, Dr Samiha then helped guide Salma Shabana to third place in the junior individual championship in 1995 before guiding the junior team to victory at the 1999 World Junior Championships.
In 2003 it was Omneya Abdel Kawy, one of Dr Samiha’s first prodigies, who became Egypt’s first female World Junior Champion – since then American Amanda Sobhy (2010) has been the only non-Egyptian winner of the coveted individual junior title.
“1993 is when the cycle started,” said El Welily. “Without her it is possible a few girls would have come through to make it – but we wouldn’t have the success and the numbers we have right now.
“Even when I was young there were times when I played national events and there weren’t enough girls to complete an eight player draw. When we had a 16-player draw, it was amazing.
“Now there are hundreds of players in the national events and it is fantastic to see the strength that there is in the women’s game – which is testament to the work Dr Samiha did and how much influence she had for the game.”
“That girls programme from 1993 turned into a women’s programme,” added Shelley.
“Salma Shabana, Engy Kheirullah and Omneya Abdel Kawy as a few key names, were the first who came through the juniors and became successful professional players. That would not have happened without Dr Samiha’s pioneering work.
“It is unusual to be able to pinpoint success on the work of one person. Egypt had been a successful squash nation since 1930s in the men’s game, but there is no doubt she was the catalyst behind the success of women’s squash and her impact is still being felt today with more and more Egyptian girls coming onto the professional scene every year.”
By the time Egypt captured their first Women’s World Team Championship in 2008, the seeds she had sown had blossomed into a formidable force.
Now, as Egypt prepares to defend their title once again, the impact of Dr. Samiha’s pioneering work is undeniable. The current team, featuring world-class players like Nour El Sherbini, Nouran Gohar, and Hania El Hammamy, represents the culmination of decades of progress.
Their dominance today is not just a reflection of their own brilliance but a testament to the vision of a woman who saw possibilities where others saw none – and one whose legacy will live on for many years to come.
