Aly Zein is Still Moving Egyptian Handball Forward

When Egypt lifted its 10th African handball title, the moment was about more than a trophy. For Aly Zein, it represented his fifth national championship, and the continuation of something the national team had been building for years: a generation determined to restore Egypt’s place among the sport’s elite. For Zein, that mindset of courage, speed and relentless ambition has shaped both his career and the partnership he has built with Puma, a brand that has increasingly aligned itself with athletes pushing the boundaries of their sport. “It’s something very special for Egypt,” Zein says. “In recent years we wanted to bring the national team back to its natural place, competing strongly in Africa.” That ambition has shaped much of the team’s recent success. Egypt’s current generation has pushed deep into international tournaments, reached the latter stages of global competitions and, most importantly, re-established the country as one of handball’s dominant forces on the continent. “Our motivation was to win four African championships in a row,” he says. “That had never been done before.” For Zein, those moments are the result of decades spent chasing the same feeling he first experienced as a child, the moment he realised handball was the sport he was meant to play. Zein’s journey into the sport started early, in 1997. His father worked at Al Ahly club, which meant much of his childhood was spent inside one of Egypt’s most historic sporting institutions. Like most young athletes, he experimented with different sports at first, but the connection with handball came almost instantly. “The first time I picked up the ball I felt I had control over it,” he recalls. “I loved it immediately.” That instinctive connection quickly turned into something more serious. Training sessions became routine and the sport gradually evolved from a childhood pastime into a career. Years later, that same instinctive style of play built on speed, agility and fearlessness would carry him to clubs across the region and into some of Europe’s most competitive leagues. Zein’s professional journey has taken him far beyond the courts where he first learned the game. Stints in Tunisia, the UAE and several European leagues including France and Romania exposed him to different playing styles and levels of competition, shaping him into one of Egypt’s most experienced international players. Like many athletes from the region, competing in Europe was always the ultimate goal. “When you leave Europe it’s not always easy to return,” he explains. “But the objective is always to reach the highest level possible.” Each move added another layer to his game physically, tactically and mentally. But no matter where he plays, representing Egypt remains central to everything he does. As the national team continues to achieve more on the international stage, Zein has also watched the sport’s popularity grow at home. For years, football dominated the Egyptian sporting landscape. Handball’s recent success is beginning to shift that dynamic. “Achievements are what make people watch handball,” Zein says. “When the national team performs well and competes with the best in the world, people start paying attention.” The impact is already visible. Youth academies are seeing increased interest, and Zein’s own summer training camps now fill up almost immediately. “Now when we open registration for the camps, the spots fill in less than a day,” he says. For the players themselves, that growing enthusiasm adds another layer of responsibility. Their performances are inspiring the next generation of Egyptian athletes. Handball demands a rare combination of speed, power and endurance. Players change direction constantly, launch into contact and land under pressure, sometimes dozens of times in a single match. For Zein, what he wears on the court has to match those demands. “The Eliminate shoes stand out not only because of the performance but also the design,” he says. “On court they feel very comfortable and stable, especially with the wider base that helps a lot during quick movements and changes of direction. For my style of play, having that mix of comfort, stability and a clean look makes a big difference.” He began working with Puma in 2024, drawn to what he saw as the brand’s growing commitment to the sport and to athletes shaping its future. “When I spoke with them, I felt they had a big plan laid out for handball,” he says. “They want to support the sport and keep improving every time.” For him, the partnership is less about sponsorship and more about alignment. It reflects a shared focus on movement, performance and constant progression. “In the end the most important thing is comfort and performance,” he says. “You need to feel confident in what you’re wearing.” On the court, that means gear built to support the sport’s explosive demands, helping players maintain agility, grip and stability through rapid changes of direction, high-intensity contact and the relentless pace of modern handball. But the connection extends beyond competition. Like many athletes of his generation, Zein moves between training sessions, recovery routines, travel and everyday life with little pause. His schedule often begins early in the morning and stretches long after the final whistle. In that rhythm, what he wears becomes part of his identity, not just as an athlete but as someone constantly in motion. From early training sessions to moments away from the court, Puma has become part of that daily routine, reflecting the same qualities Zein values in his game: speed, consistency and ambition. As Egypt continues to build on its recent success, Zein remains focused on what comes next. More international competitions, deeper tournament runs and the ongoing effort to push Egyptian handball further onto the global stage. For him, the goal is simple. “To keep improving.”