Ahmed Mohamed Abdallah Salem during his time with the Egyptian Army

Ahmed Mohamed Abdallah Salem
Personal information
Full name Ahmed Mohamed Salem
Date of birth December 25, 1898
Place of birth Damietta, Egypt
Date of death October 28, 1969
Place of death Cairo, Egypt
International career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Egypt

Ahmed Mohamed Abdallah Salem was an Egyptian 2 time Olympian as a footballer[1] and Track & Field Champion. He competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics and the 1928 Summer Olympics.[2]

Early life

Ahmed Mohamed Abdallah Salem was born on December 25, 1898, to Egyptian Father Naval Colonel Mohamed Abdallah Salem and Egyptian Mother (descending from Turkey) Adila Alhon.

Ahmed was born in Damietta because his father was stationed there at the time. His father typically rotated cities repeatedly in Egypt serving for the Egyptian Navy. Ahmed was the eldest of three boys. His two younger brothers were Mahmoud Salem (Captain of Railway Soccer Club) and youngest Abdel Monaem (Captain of Ahly Soccer Club).

Ahmed Salem graduated from the Military Academy and entered the Egyptian Army. General Haidar Basha (Commander of Egyptian Army and Police) appointed Ahmed to transfer from an Army Officer to a Police Officer once General Haidar discovered Ahmeds passion for Soccer and his exquisite skill. The General saw this rare and gifted talent from Ahmed and seized the opportunity to position him to play for the Egyptian National Team and clubs as a defender. This transfer would allow Ahmed flexibility for Soccer training.

Soccer career

Ahmed Salem joined Al Ahly Club (Elite Soccer Club in Egypt that has many achievements amongst other Soccer clubs in the world) in 1923 and played only 1 season. During his time of play, the team won the Farouk Cup (recently titled Egyptian Cup).

Ahmed Salem at 1924 Olympics in Paris, France

Ahmed Salem represented the Egyptian National Team in the Olympic games held in Paris, France in 1924 (Egypt at the 1924 Summer Olympics). He was chosen as the best Left Back (recently titled Left Full Back) in the World. After the Olympics, Ahmed played for the Employees Club of Alexandria. In 1926, Prince Abbas Halim (cousin of Egyptian King Farouk I) renamed the Employees Club of Alexandria to the Egyptian Olympic Ace Club. The name Olympic Ace derives from the name given to Ahmed Salem during the Olympic games in Paris. This was the first time in the world that a Soccer Club get renamed after a players name. He played with the club until 1927.

Ahmed Salem receiving Egyptian Cup from Egyptian King Farouk I in 1932

In 1927, Ahmed Salem played for Zamalek Club (Mokhtalat). Mokhtalat refers to a club that allows Egyptian Nationals and Foreigners to play together under the same club. In 1932, the team won the Egyptian Cup against his former club, Al Ahly (Score 2-1). Ahmed Salem personally received the Egyptian cup from the Egyptian King Farouk 1 (See photo).

1928 Egyptian National Soccer Team participating in the Olympics held in Amsterdam

In 1928, Ahmed Salem once again represented the Egyptian National Team in the Olympic games held in Amsterdam, Netherlands. For the Soccer competition, he won as best defender for the Olympics. (Egypt at the 1928 Summer Olympics)

In 1930 and 1932, under the leadership of Ahmed Salem during his time at the Zamalek Club, they won the League of Cairo Clubs (Esteemed leagues in Egypt).

He was considered to be one of the best Left Back Defender Soccer players as well as the most prominent and strongest in the Egyptian History of Soccer.

Ahmed Salem retired his Soccer career in 1934. Following that, in 1950, he established the Coast Guards Club (Hares el Hedoud) as a Coast Guard Officer and co-founder. He was the Football Manager for the Alexendria club called the Olympic Club.

In 1960, President of Egypt, Gamal Abdel Nasser awarded Ahmed Salem to carry the Egyptian Flag during the Grand Opening of the International Cairo Stadium. He was chosen because he had the highest title in the history of Egyptian Soccer (Olympic Ace).

In 1960-1964, Ahmed Salem was the Soccer Manager for the Railway Club of Alexandria.

He concluded his military career with the rank of Prince Brigadier (Now titled Brigadier General)

Military career

Due to Ahmed Salems prolific abilities, skills and strong physique, he was always appointed to guard and protect Egyptian high ranking Rulers and Nationals such as Prime Minister Mostafa El Nahhas, Prime Minister Ali Maher, Prime Minister El Nokroshy Basha, etc.

During Egypts King Farouk I ceremonies and other royal engagements, Brigiadier General Ahmed Salem is always appointed as the commander in chief for protection and security for the royal king and staff during 1936-1952.

Personal life

Ahmed Salem lived the rest of his life in Alexandria, Egypt with his two younger brothers. He married Fardous Yousef Atwa Bou Kortam (Egyptian Moroccan descent; Her father was Moroccan) and they had nine children. From eldest, Major General Kamal Salem, Dr Adel Salem, Ansaf Salem, Wafaya "Fifi" Salem, Soad Salem, Samia Salem, Fawzia "Nanny" Salem, Brigadier General Farouk Salem and youngest son Ahmed "Hamada" Salem. Ahmed Salem's children eventually started their own families with some living in Alexandria, Egypt and others immigrating to the USA (Houston, Texas).

Ahmed Salem suffered a blood clot in his brain and died at the age of 71 at the Hospital Maadi Armed Forces in Cairo.

Noted Relative

Ahmed Salem is the grandson of Lieutenant Colonel Abdallah Salem of the Egyptian Sudanese Army (Prior to Sudans independence from Egypt in 1956).

In 1863, Napoleon III of France invited Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, to become Emperor of Mexico. Maximilian accepted the offer and arrived in Mexico in 1864. Unfortunately the people of Mexico started a revolution against Maximilian.

Napoleon III requested for military assistance from Egypts Ruler Khedive Said Pasha (Sa'id of Egypt - Wikipedia). Khedive sent a Battalion headed by Lead Commander named Brig-Gen Muhammad al-Mas Pasha and Assistant Commander was Lieutenant Colonel Abdallah Salem. Lead Commander died quickly upon his arrival during the revolution and Lieutenant Colonel Abdallah Salem was the Lead Commander. Thanks to the Egyptian Battalion, they were successful in the revolution in 1867 and Lieutenant Colonel Abdallah Salem was awarded by Napoleon III of France a Medal of Honor which is the highest military award in France.


Ahmed Salem is also the descendent of Soldier Salem Poor (Salem Poor - Wikipedia).

There is evidence that Salem Poor/Salem El Fakir/Salem El Fakih could be the same person. This is due to "El Fakir" in Arabic is translated to "Poor" in English. Additionally, the letter "r" and "h" looks very similar in Arabic font titled Rekaa. Overtime, the names were used interchangeably not realizing its the same person.

References

  1. ↑ "Ahmed Salem". Olympedia. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  2. ↑ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Ahmed Salem". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
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