The Egyptian Table Tennis Federation has officially removed coach Mohamed Momtaz from its records and banned him from all activities related to the sport after he slapped young player Zeina Farouk during an international tournament in England.

The decision was announced following an emergency meeting held by the federation's board, led by Ashraf Helmy, on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, to review the incident and decide on the necessary action.

The incident took place during the World Hopes Week table tennis tournament in Sheffield, England, earlier this month.

The competition brought together young players under the age of 12.

During the tournament, Mohamed Momtaz slapped 10-year-old Zeina Farouk in the face after one of her matches, leading Egyptian sports authorities to investigate the incident.

Coach Banned

The Egyptian Table Tennis Federation decided to officially remove Mohamed Momtaz from its records and prevent him from taking part in any table tennis activities, including coaching and other roles within the sport.

The federation also announced that the investigation findings would be sent to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Egyptian Olympic Committee so that both organizations could take any further action within their authority.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports had already responded to the incident on Tuesday, October 27, giving the federation 48 hours to provide the results of its investigation.

The federation held its emergency meeting the following day and announced its decision, taking action against the coach and seeking to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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Player Protection

The Egyptian Table Tennis Federation stressed that protecting players' rights, safety, and dignity remains one of its main priorities.

It also made clear that any behavior that goes against sporting values and ethical standards is unacceptable.

According to the federation, sport is not only about winning matches and collecting trophies.

It should also promote respect, discipline, fair play, and a safe environment where athletes can improve their skills without facing violence or humiliation.

The federation emphasized that all players deserve respect and protection, regardless of their age or level of competition.

It also confirmed that it would not tolerate actions that could harm players or violate their rights.

The incident involving Zeina Farouk highlights the importance of protecting young athletes, especially children who are still developing their skills and confidence.

Young players need encouragement, guidance, and emotional support to improve their performance rather than physical punishment or unacceptable pressure.

With this decision, the Egyptian Table Tennis Federation has sent a clear message that player safety and dignity must always come before sporting results.