Kamel Abu Ali is set to remain president of Al-Masry Al-Portsaidi for another four years after no candidate came forward to challenge him in the club’s upcoming board elections.
The Egyptian club confirmed on Tuesday evening that nominations had officially closed following a week-long application period, leaving Abu Ali as the sole candidate for the presidency ahead of the vote scheduled for 4 December.
His unopposed position puts him on course to continue leading the Port Said-based club, extending a tenure that began in 2022.
Abu Ali’s continuation comes after a period in which Al-Masry secured its first major title since winning the Egypt Cup in 1998, lifting the Cairo Cup during his current spell in charge.
Abu Ali set for another four-year term
Abu Ali has a long history with Al-Masry, having first taken over as president on an interim basis in 1997 before returning to the position for a spell between 2009 and 2013.
He resumed the presidency in 2022, beginning his third period in charge of the club. His latest term has included the team’s Cairo Cup triumph, which ended a lengthy wait for silverware dating back to its Egypt Cup success in 1998.
With no rival submitting a presidential nomination before the deadline, Abu Ali is now positioned to continue overseeing the club’s affairs for a further four years.
The election process will nevertheless involve competition for other positions on the board, with 12 candidates submitting applications for various roles.
The presidential position has therefore emerged as the clearest outcome of the nomination process, while the remaining posts will be contested by those who have put themselves forward.
Twelve candidates contest other board positions
The list of candidates includes two contenders for the vice-presidency: Al-Husseini Abu Qamar and Mohamed Abdel Fattah.
The treasurer’s position will also be contested, with Ragab Abdel Qader and Al-Saeed Ali Al-Shakhtour among those seeking the role.
Six candidates have applied for board membership, including Hossam Omar, Mohamed Saleh El-Desouki, Ahmed Sayed Metwally, Mohamed Moussa, Walid Ali Ibrahim and Mohamed El-Mahrouki.
Ahmed Sayed Metwally is the son of former Al-Masry president Dr Mohamed Moussa, according to the information provided about the candidates.
The nominations indicate that, although the presidency is uncontested, several positions within the club’s administration remain open to competition.
The election on 4 December will determine the composition of the board as Al-Masry prepares for the next phase under Abu Ali’s leadership.
Ehab Leheta withdraws from election race
Meanwhile, former Egypt national team manager Ehab Leheta has apologised for not entering the Al-Masry elections.
Leheta had been linked with the possibility of joining Abu Ali’s electoral list during preparations for the vote, but he ultimately decided against submitting a candidacy.
His decision means he will not be among those competing for a position on the club’s incoming board.
With the nomination period now closed, attention turns to the December elections and the finalisation of Al-Masry’s leadership structure.
Abu Ali’s position as the only presidential candidate places him in a strong position to continue his tenure, while the other candidates prepare to compete for the remaining board positions.
