Kamal Darwish has temporarily been appointed Zamalek chairman instead of Mamdouh Abbas, the Egyptian ministry of sports announced. Zamalek's presidential elections were supposed to take place last May, only for Abbas' board to be handed an extension amid Egypt's political instability. However, ministry of sports Taher Abou-Zeid has decided to relieve Abbas' board of its duties, appointing former chairman Darwish until the next elections in 2014. While Zamalek have been struggling with financial problems for years, wealthy business man Abbas has been subjected to severe criticism from the club's fans of late. Zamalek's Ultras White Knights staged a massive protest before the club's headquarters last month, calling for resignation of the Abbas board. The Cairo club's elections take place during the first quarter of 2014.