EGYPT on Sunday withdrew as the host of an upcoming handball Africa Nations Cup championship because of the participation of Algeria. The Egyptian Handball Federation took the decision after the African Handball Federation turned down its request to delay the tournament, due to be held in February 2010. Medhat El-Beltagui, executive director of the National Sports Council, said Egypt was not ready to take part in events in which Algerians are involved and therefore hosting sports events attended by Algerian players cannot be held. Egypt is also avoiding games played in Algeria for safety reasons. "Egypt and Algeria are the top teams in handball in Africa and they usually meet in the semi-final or final. We can't afford that here in Egypt as their previous encounters saw aggressiveness and with the recent incidents it would be worse," El-Beltagui said. "In addition, Egyptians are not willing to host any Algerians anywhere and we would like to respect the public's sentiments." The Egyptian team, the reigning African handball champions, will still play in the championship if it is held in another country, save Algeria, which has offered to host the event. If Egypt does not take part in the tournament, it will lose the opportunity to take part in the next World Handball Championship as the Africa Nations Cup is a qualifying event. The African Handball Federation is expected to fine the Egyptian federation for backing out on such short notice especially after the draw was conducted here in Egypt. Meanwhile, two Algerian volleyball teams have withdrawn from a tournament to be held in Cairo for the same reasons. And the Cairo football club Ahli have sold their Algerian player Saieoud while Zamalek cancelled a deal with another Algerian footballer they were expected to sign. Relations between Egypt and Algeria soured badly after their World Cup qualifying match played in Sudan on 18 November. Algerian supporters attacked Egyptian fans after the game which Algeria won 1-0.
