Emad al-Banany, head of the Egyptian National Council for Sport, on Tuesday said Assistant Foreign Minister Mona Omar told him that a military aircraft has been prepared in coordination with the military council and the Foreign Ministry to fly to Bamako, Mali as soon as its airport is reopened, in order to fly back the Ahly football team and accompanying media.
Ahly, the most popular team in Egypt, played in the first round of the African Champions League against the Mali team on Sunday, but could not fly back due to bad weather conditions.
On Tuesday, renewed clashes broke out between forces of the military junta and those loyal to the deposed president of Mali.
Banany also said, in statements run by state-run MENA news agency, that he called Khaled al-Darandaly, head of the Ahly mission, to make sure the media convoy is safe and was reassured that the Egyptian consul, Fadi al-Sharkawy is looking after it.
He also said that the media moved to the team’s residences.
Sharkawy told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the military plane is expected to land in the neighboring city of Abidjan, but the problem is how to transport the team and media members to it.
He also said that secret guards are securing the hotel where the mission is staying.
Meanwhile, Darandaly said the Malian defense minister said he could not guarantee a safe landing and departure for the plane, and preferred that the team and media be driven to Abidjan.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
