Fujairah’s Egyptian Club seeks community support for more services

A popular club in Fujairah that has served the community for 38 years is looking for support to expand services.

The Egyptian Club is a sports, social and cultural gathering spot that has been serving the east coast Egyptian community and other nationalities in Fujairah for about 38 years. Courtesy Egyptian Club

FUJAIRAH // A sports, social and cultural club that has served the east coast community for 38 years is looking for greater support to provide more services and activities.

The club hopes to buy a football pitch, host competitions, find sponsors for charity activities and provide free courses for high school pupils.

The Egyptian Club was established in 1978 with the support of Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Ruler of Fujairah, and members of the community, said Dr Ramadan Arafa, the club’s chairman.

Dr Arafa said that Sheikh Hamad “was kind enough to provide us with the club headquarters without paying any rent and has ordered maintenance many times”.

“We are grateful for his consistent support,” said Dr Arafa.

“The number of participants has increased during the past years and we get many applications to join, especially sports activities, but our current premises can’t accommodate the increasing numbers.”

About 500 people benefit from the club services, including 200 Egyptian families who are members. The club provides activities such as football, taekwondo, table tennis competitions, music rehearsals and singing.

The club pays Dh1,400 a month to rent the football field for an hour, three times a week. It rents in the daytime only as prices nearly double in the evening, said Dr Arafa.

“Unfortunately, we had also cancelled the football courses in summer as we can’t afford to pay Dh2,600 to rent the soccer field during night,” he said.

The club has a main room for indoor activities and a semi-outdoor hall that can be used in winter, as well as a reception area, a small gymnasium and two staff offices.

“We also need support to build a library and add more computers and equipment to the gym,” said Dr Arafa.

“Almost all of our services are free while only token charges are being paid (for others) by the members, and we charge them Dh100 per month for the sports activities for each participant.”

Mohammed Yassin, a 44-year-old Egyptian father of five, said the club has provided help to many.

“They are always there when you need them. They provide help as much as they can and offer training activities that keep the kids busy all the time,” said Mr Yassin.

“My kids participate in almost all the activities and events, and my 12-year-old boy takes taekwondo lessons.

“It serves all the community members from many nationalities.”

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