Brawl breaks out in Egypt table tennis team at Africa Cup

A violent altercation broke out between two members of Egypt’s national table tennis team during the Africa Cup in Tunisia on Sunday

Star player Omar Assar clashed with teammate Mahmoud Ashraf Helmy in an incident that shocked spectators and prompted an investigation by the Egyptian Table Tennis Federation.

The confrontation occurred during Egypt’s match against Nigeria on Sunday, the final day of the tournament. According to reports, Assar suddenly lost his temper mid-match, left his position at the table, and approached the substitutes’ bench, where Helmy was seated.

Witnesses said the two players exchanged insults before Assar threatened to hit his teammate, forcing other players and members of the technical and administrative staff to intervene and separate them.

Footage of the altercation quickly spread across social media, showing a visibly enraged Assar shouting at team officials and refusing to continue the match unless Helmy was removed from the bench.

"By God, I won’t play while he’s sitting there," Assar can be heard saying in the video. "You’re the head of the delegation - you saw what happened. I swear I won’t play while he’s sitting there. Not one ball, he’ll get up now."

He then appeared to threaten Helmy directly, saying: "With the paddle - right in your face."

The dispute has taken on additional sensitivity as Mahmoud Ashraf Helmy is the son of Ashraf Helmy, president of the Egyptian Table Tennis Federation. The federation chief said the incident would be formally reviewed and that any disciplinary decisions would be made after the delegation’s return to Egypt.

While the Egyptian team went on to dominate the tournament - with Omar Assar winning the men’s singles title and Hana Gouda taking the women’s title - the brawl has cast a shadow over the team’s success.

Egypt also swept the men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events, solidifying its position as the leading table tennis nation in Africa.

Assar, one of Africa’s most decorated table tennis players and a three-time Olympian, had recently helped Saudi club Al-Ittihad claim victory over Bahrain before rejoining the Egyptian squad.

The federation’s disciplinary committee is expected to review the footage and testimonies from team officials once the squad returns to Cairo.