Egyptian football team for Olympics 2012 Cairo – Omar El Banoubi Egyptian President Dr Mohammed Morsi met the Pharaohs football team before they travel to London for the Olympic Games, in the presence of the head of the national council for sports, Dr Emad El Banani, the head of Egyptian Olympics Committee, Major Mahmoud Ahmed Ali, and member of both the International and Egyptian Olympics Committees, Dr Rania Elwani, at the Presidency headquarters in Heliopolis.
Banani delivered a speech to President Morsi which he concluded with several demands for the development of Egyptian sports to an international level to compete with major countries which includes an article in the new Egyptian constitution that guarantees exercising and sports as the right of every citizen, along with their rights to education, food, shelter, medicine and living with dignity.
President Mohammed Morsi stressed the importance of sports to Egyptian society, pointing out that there are efforts to resume sporting activities as soon as possible, especially football.
During the meeting Morsi announced that he was studying the possibility of restoring  the  football league in the new season after discussing with the Ministry of Interior for assurances that there is adequate  security in place before taking the decision.
The first elected President in the history of Egypt was keen to  raise the morale of the football team representing Egypt at the London 2012 Olympics, and urged them to return with gold medals to make Egypt proud.
The member of both the International and Egyptian Olympic Committees, Dr Rania Elwany, praised the meeting with President Morsi saying that it was positive and fruitful.
Elwany in a telephone conversation with Arabstoday said she was impressed by President Morsi’s attitude towards sports, its development and its importance for society, especially the youth.
The Egyptian and Arab swimming champion expressed her hope that President Morsi would play an active role in developing Egyptian sports during the next stage.
Egypt will be participating in the Games with a delegation of 204,  including 112 participants in 19 sports who  have qualified over the last four years.
The 30th Olympic Games will be held in the British capital, London, during the period July 26 – August 12.