Ashraf Mahmoud: A Pioneer of Sports Culture and the Voice of Arab Stadiums
In a world where media intersects with sports and culture, the name Ashraf Mahmoud stands out as one of the pillars of sports and cultural journalism in the Arab world. He is not just a veteran journalist at the esteemed Al-Ahram newspaper, but a true pioneer in establishing the concept of sports culture as a tool for development and community awareness.
From the outset of his career, Ashraf Mahmoud left a distinct mark. He was one of the founders of Al-Ahram Al-Arabi magazine in 1997 and later became its Editor-in-Chief in 2012. In 2005, he launched Sports Culture Magazine, which embodied his vision that sports are more than competition—they are a vehicle for education, enlightenment, and thought.
Driven by ambition beyond journalism, he founded the Egyptian Federation for Sports Culture in 2011, followed by the establishment of both the Arab and African Federations for Sports Culture in 2015. Through these initiatives, he laid the foundations for regional institutions that bridge sports and knowledge. He has also been an active member of the International Federation for Sports Culture since 2013.
On the field, Ashraf Mahmoud’s voice became familiar to football enthusiasts across the Arab world through his commentary and analysis on prestigious platforms such as:
• Egyptian Television, Nile Sports Channel, and Youth and Sports Radio,
• Swiss Radio Arabic Service (since 1994),
• Radio Monte Carlo International (from 2003 to present),
• Al Jazeera Sports, Abu Dhabi Sports, Future TV, New TV Lebanon,
• Agence France-Presse (AFP), and the Arab States Broadcasting Union.
Whether as a commentator, correspondent, or media trainer, he delivered with excellence.
His journalistic career is rich with coverage of major international tournaments, from the 1994 World Cup in the USA to the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, along with FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups, African, Asian, and Gulf Cups, and various Arab and African sporting events. Beyond the microphone and camera, his pen has also told the story. He authored several books exploring the intersection of sports and culture, including:
• Tales from the Green Field (1991),
• The Art of Sports Commentary (2010),
• All We Have Is a Big Stadium (2015),
• Running with Words: Sports in the Field of Literature (2022),
• and his most recent work, Sports Culture: Nourishment for the Body, Enlightenment for the Mind, and Formation of the Soul (2023), which encapsulates his media and humanistic philosophy.
Ashraf Mahmoud is more than a journalist or sports commentator; he is a voice of enlightenment, blending word and field, book and stadium, intellect and passion. He has made sports culture not just a career, but a life project and a message to society.
