Egyptian fans are placing big hopes on footballer Mo Salah, whose popularity has been skyrocketing both at home and abroad. Hamada Elrasam takes us to Salah’s home town of Nagrig where his success, and his sponsorship of community projects including a football school for children, are changing the lives of many.
In Egyptian Football Star's Home Village, World Cup Ignites Big Dreams
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Young men at Nagrig gather every day after school and play for a local football league. They see Salah as a role model and dream of one day, too, making it big.
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Hassan Bakr lays out a poster featuring Nagrig's most famous son.
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Salah donates money to projects in Nagrig, but his image also yields riches for local vendors who have been doing brisk business in the runup to the World Cup. Familiarity sells. “I have known Mohamed Salah since he was 10 a year-old boy." says a street vendor. "He was always a polite and and decent child and that is why I am super excited to be selling T-shirts with his photos and name.”
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In a video game store, Mohamed Salah’s face shines as young men.