Published Date: 2025-04-24 13:19:29 Updated At: 2025-04-24 13:19:29

Today, Thursday, April 24, 2025, Al Ahly Club and its fans celebrate 118 years since its establishment as one of the most prestigious and largest sports clubs in Egypt, Africa, and the world. Since its founding, Al Ahly has become a symbol of sports and historical achievements, having won numerous local, African, and global championships, securing a prominent place in the records of major clubs around the world.

On this day in 1907, the first official meeting of Al Ahly's board of directors was held at Mitchell Anas' house in the Giza area. This meeting marked the beginning of the club's journey, which witnessed significant development in various sports and social fields. Al Ahly was founded under the name "Al Ahly Sporting Club" with the aim of bringing together high school students, especially those interested in political affairs, to prepare them to defend freedom and independence. Initially, the club had a social and political role before becoming one of the leading sports institutions in Egypt.

Lawyer Omar Bek Lotfy was the original founder of the idea to establish Al Ahly Club. He had a clear vision to create a sports club that would bring together students from various backgrounds to form a social and sporting force, providing a means for continuous communication after graduation, thus strengthening ties and contributing to the country's development. Omar Lotfy met with several prominent figures in Egyptian society at the time, such as the leader Mustafa Kamel, the dean of the Faculty of Dar Al-Uloom, and a number of ministers and public figures, where they agreed on the idea of founding the club.

The first official meeting of Al Ahly Club took place on April 24, 1907, where Mitchell Anas was appointed as president of the club, even though Omar Lotfy was the one who had the original idea. This choice served as a lesson in humility, showing Lotfy's belief in the club's best interests and the importance of its development above all personal considerations. Through this meeting, the foundations for the club were laid, focusing on sports, social, and political development.

As for the club's name, it was chosen to be "Al Ahly," translating to "National" to reflect the Egyptian national identity. This name embodied the idea of the club as a sports institution concerned with developing Egyptian youth and strengthening their sense of belonging to their country. In 1917, Mohamed Sherif Sabri designed the first logo of Al Ahly Club, which featured the crescent and three stars symbolizing the rule of Egypt at the time, with the name "Al Ahly" in the middle, becoming a symbol of the club and its noble goals in history.

Regarding football, Al Ahly is one of the most prestigious clubs in this field. The first football team of Al Ahly Club was established in 1911, consisting of players from primary and secondary schools. The first team included notable players such as Hussein Hegazi, Hussein Fawzi, Ibrahim Osman, and Mohamed Bakri, and thus began the club's journey in the world of football. From that moment, the team became one of the champions of Egyptian football, winning numerous local and regional championships.

Over the years, Al Ahly has become one of the most successful clubs in Egypt and Africa. The team has won 44 Egyptian Premier League titles, 39 Egypt Cups, and 15 Egyptian Super Cups. Additionally, Al Ahly has achieved unprecedented continental success, winning 12 CAF Champions League titles, 8 CAF Super Cups, and the CAF Confederation Cup once.

Al Ahly has also excelled on the international level, winning the bronze medal in the FIFA Club World Cup four times, a remarkable achievement for African clubs on the global stage.

On the Arab level, Al Ahly has won numerous titles, including the Arab Champions League once, the Arab Cup once, the Arab Elite Cup twice, the Sultan Hussein Cup 7 times, and several local championships like the Cairo League and the United Arab Republic Cup.

Not only in football but also in other sports, Al Ahly continues its leadership, winning many championships in sports like basketball, handball, and volleyball, reflecting the continuous development of the club on various sports fronts.

On the other hand, Al Ahly is a source of pride for the Egyptian society thanks to its rich history of values and national principles. The club has not been merely a sports institution, but also a platform for culture and national awareness. Since its inception, Al Ahly has followed the principle "Al Ahly Above All," a slogan that expresses the loyalty of its players and fans to this great entity. Al Ahly has also always been at the forefront of supporting social and national causes, playing a significant role in serving Egyptian society.

In conclusion, 118 years of Al Ahly's history represent a journey filled with challenges and achievements that have contributed to building a great sporting nation. Al Ahly remains a symbol of patriotism and sports achievement, with its fans proudly celebrating its glorious past and bright future.