Egyptian youth freestyle wrestling player Ziad Haggag sparked widespread controversy, in his first public appearance since leaving the national team’s delegation in Slovakia, revealing details of his crisis and the pressures that prompted him to make this decision.
Haggag said, through his Facebook account, that he made his decision out of a desire to return to Egypt while holding a medal and honoring his country, apologizing to his parents, especially his father, with whom he bore many burdens.
He explained: “Forgive me, I am very tired and I am tired of having a strong father with me, and I cost him a lot and he has seven sisters other than me, and there was no use other than me returning to Egypt with the medal.”
He added that what he gets each month does not exceed 700 pounds, despite being an international player, adding: “I am responsible for this decision, after all this pressure, there was no point in coming back again.”
Haggag affirmed his commitment to wrestling and his love for his country, saying: “I was born a wrestler and live as a wrestler. I raised the flag of Egypt and it will continue to be raised, God willing.”
Ziad Haggag had participated in the 61 kg freestyle wrestling competition, despite suffering a right rib injury, and he insisted on competing in the tournament in the hope of achieving his dream of winning a medal and raising the Egyptian flag, but his career ended with a loss to the Mexican player with a score of 12-2 in the round of 16.
