Ziad Haggag, wrestler for the Egyptian national team, has spoken about his escape from the youth national team delegation during the World Championship in Slovakia, in recent days.
The player had escaped from the headquarters of the Egyptian youth wrestling delegation while they were heading to one of the training sessions, telling them he would catch up with them, then turned off his phone and disappeared.
Haggag wrote on his Facebook account: "I am the international player Ziad Haggag Abu Jabal, player for the Egyptian freestyle wrestling national team".
He continued: "I want to tell my father and mother not to be upset with me. I did this so that I would be a man in my own eyes. I will not return to my beloved country Egypt unless I am bringing honor to it".
He added: "Forgive me, I have suffered a lot and I have made my father suffer a lot with me. I have burdened him greatly, and he has seven other siblings besides me. It was not possible for me to return to Egypt without a medal, and God willing it will happen. I wanted to reassure you that God willing I am returning to Egypt as a champion and bringing honor to it".
He continued: "I beg you, Haj, forgive me and pray for me. I was sent alone from Cairo Airport to Slovakia, and no one from the delegation was with me. I had nothing on my mind, I called them, went to the championship, and played while I was injured in my right rib. I insisted on playing to achieve my dream and bring a medal to Egypt".
He concluded: "All I take per month is 700 pounds, and I am an international player. What will they do or not do? But I am responsible for this decision. After all this pressure, it was not possible for me to return again. I was born a wrestler and I will live as a wrestler. I raised the flag of Egypt and it will remain raised, God willing. Forgive me, son of Egypt, Ziad Haggag Abu Jabal".
