Egypt’s national sailing team has a new champion. Laila Diaa claimed the gold medal in the Optimist class at the African Sailing Championship held in Tanzania this August, securing her place among the continent’s top young sailors.
“This medal is the result of years of discipline and teamwork,” said Ahmed Habash, President of the Egyptian Sailing Federation. “Laila truly deserves this honor, and it’s also a testament to the dedication of our coaching staff.”
The Optimist class, a key category for sailors under 15, is seen as a training ground for future Olympic contenders. Sports development expert Dr. Omar El-Ghazaly praised Diaa’s win as “proof of Egypt’s growing strength in African water sports,” noting that the country’s investment in youth programs is beginning to pay off.
According to federation sources, Diaa will now prepare for the World Optimist Championship next year, with international training camps already in the works.
Her victory adds to Egypt’s rising profile in African sailing—and could be the start of a global breakthrough
