Click to view caption It is nice to host an event and win it too. But when the wins are doubled or tripled it makes it all the more fun. The 13th annual Heliopolis International Waterpolo and Synchro tournament held in Cairo simultaneously last week ended with something of the sorts. Egypt clinched a double victory in synchro and a fourth place in polo. In synchronised swimming, Heliopolis' youngest girls -- averaging 15 years old -- displayed a maturity well beyond their years. They hit top billing in the duet and team events. Hungary came second and Malaysia third. "This being a club competition, it has been very enjoyable," said Leila Lotfi, head of the synchronised swimming committee. "The aim was to allow the Heliopolis girls to compete and gain experience from other more advanced teams in the sport. It was a tough competition which should give them an incentive to strive to do better," added Lotfi. "Our goal was not to win but to learn new methods, styles and gain experience from all the athletes taking part." The waterpolo competition saw no great splashes. Heliopolis came fourth -- defeated by Germany's SV Cannstatt EV 10-8. Croatia's Medvescak won the competition for the first time, ousting Hungary's Szentesi Vizisport Klub 9-4. The championship is the second strongest competition Egypt has seen -- after the 10th tournament in 1999 where Heliopolis -- playing not against clubs but against national teams -- won the competition. "The tournament which was founded in 1990, attracted many teams to enter," said Hassan Arafa, Heliopolis', and tournament, director. "But we don't choose haphazardly. We don't host weak teams to win. They are strong and powerful. Heliopolis only took the title three times out of 13 tournaments. The international contact -- especially with European teams -- is what matters," Arafa said. Six teams from Belgium, Netherlands, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany and Croatia, plus the Heliopolis Sporting Club team and Egypt's junior national team participated in the five-day event. "The goal of these tournaments was very simple: For people to enjoy a spectacular competition," Arafa said. "The tournaments were of a very high standard and made for great publicity for the club. The teams taking part were very strong and this is what we need if we are to improve in future tournaments," Arafa added. An attitude that comes across as a breath of fresh air amidst a nation obsessed with clinching the number one spot. Arafa, however, knows of the reality: Practice, ultimately, is what makes perfect.
