CAIRO, July 19, 2018 - Egypt's most prominent Al Ahly club has said it will not participate in a major handball competition due later this year in Qatar in compliance with Cairo's boycott of the countyr. Egypt's Zamalek, the winners of the African Handball Champions League, have already said they will not participate in the Qatar tournament. Al Ahly had lost the African Super Cup to Zamalek, which determines the team that should represent the African continent at the IHF Super Globe. However, the White Knights decided to withdraw, which pushed the International Handball Federation to invite runners-up Al Ahly. According to an official statement issued by the Red Castle, the board have declined the request to participate in the competition. "Al Ahly's board of directors have decided not to participate in the IHF Super Globe due to be held in Qatar next October, in compliance with the country's current political state," the statement read. Both teams withrew in support of Egypt's decision to cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Egypt was among four Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and UAE, who severed their ties with Qatar in June 2017. This is the second year in a row that the Red Devils withdraw from the global competition in Qatar as they refused to take part in the 2017 IHF Super Globe
