CAIRO - As part of a sports plan, adopted by Egypt to bridge the gap with other Nile Basin countries, Egypt's governmental National Sports Council Chief Hassan Saqr welcomed Monday his Tanzanian counterpart. The Tanzanian official arrived prior to the Nile Basin International tournament, due to begin in Egypt on January 5. Saqr will receive Tuesday the sports ministers of Uganda, Burundi, Sudan, Kenya and DR Congo. Egypt have been drawn against the African teams of Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi in Group A, while Sudan, Kenya and DR Congo will be competing in Group B. Egypt, while hosting the tournament, will play their opening match against Tanzania on January 5 before facing Uganda three days later. Egypt's final game against Burundi will be held on January 11, and the tournament will end on January 17. Zamalek's player Mahmoud Abdel Razek "Shikabala" joined the Egypt camp to prepare for the Nile Basin Tournament. Shika stated that he didn't know if he would show up in the national team's line-up in the tournament.
