20-Jul-08:
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT IS 29
 I’ll
never forget the expression on the face of a player I never met
before, who had just been crowned Word Champion, suffering from a
bad ankle injury which crowned a poor first appearance in the Super
Series Finals, in the corridor that led to the Broadgate Arena’s
Press Room in May 2005.
”People expected a World Champion,” he said very quickly, “and what
they saw was a club player. I’m so ashamed.” And his brown sad eyes,
and that sad smile that would have melted any woman’s maternal
instinct.
And boy did I melt…
From that moment on, I fell under Amr Shabana’s spell – who I came
to nickname the Prince of Egypt – with his cheeky smile, his 250mph
sense of humour in a second language, his fidelity in friendship,
his discretion, and yet, his strength and determination.
And if in his earlier career he’d shown some lapses in concentration
and motivation, Najla his wife, gave him the the focus he needed.
Now a proud father of four month-old Nada,
he has reached the perfect balance in his life, reigning in the
Squash World for the past 28 months, and printing his name deeply
into the stone of History.
But more than this, more than his achievements, his victories, his
fame, his titles, Shaabz is a wonderful Human Being. And a stunning
Friend.
Bon Anniversaire, Amr.
 |
 |
