Zamalek

Early years (1911–1915)

The writer Ibrahim Allam Juhaina mentions the story of the founding of the Zamalek Sporting Club in the Al-Ahram issue issued on 12 February 1927. The idea of establishing the club began in one of the Santi buildings in Ezbekieh garden. After a short period, around 1911, the idea grew until they acquired land for the club. It was the water company's land on Boulak Street, Fuad I Street after that, and 26 July Street now. Juhayna mentions that most of the club's writings were published in French, and in the first years there was no general assembly, no fixed bodies, and no applicable law.

Le phare d'Alexandria newspaper reported in its issue of 24 October 1912 that the club was called Cairo International Sports Club, contrary to what is commonly known in modern sources that the club was called Qasr El Nil at that time, and the club was interested in organizing car races between Cairo and Alexandria. It also reported that Ahmed Zaki Pasha, Secretary of the Egyptian Cabinet, was a board member of the club, and that the club board members included Kramer, Bianchi, Morel, Bouchet, Guy, Deputy Director of the Financial Secretariat, and Manhi. Same reported in the next issues of 25 and 26 October 1912. Aegytische Nachrichten newspaper reported in its issue of 26 October 1912 that the club was named Cairo International Sports Club.

Ahmed Zaki Pasha, Secretary of the Egyptian Cabinet, mentions in his book A Journey between Cairo and Alexandria on 2 November 1912, in his book published in French, that the club was called C.I.S.C, and the club's president at that time was Antoine Bianchi, contrary to what is reported in modern sources that George Merzbach was the club's president from 1911 to 1915. The French newspaper La Revue Aerienne mentioned in its issue published on 10 November 1912, that the Cairo International Sports Club (C.I.S.C) published a monthly magazine called Les Sports. The newspaper was founded, as mentioned in the book The Development of the Egyptian Press 1798 – 1951 by Ibrahim Abdo in 1912.

The Aegytische Nachrichten newspaper reported in its issue of 11 December 1912 that the Cairo International Sports Club issued its first weekly newspaper under the name Cairo Sports on Saturday, 11 December 1912. The news was concerned with the Ministry of Labor's approval to allow the club to work on adding signs on all the Cairo-Alexandria Road. The ministry only wanted a preliminary sample. Zamalek (C.I.S.C) participated in the International Union's championships(El Mokhtalat union's), and Le phare d'Alexandria newspaper reported that they won the second edition of the Bolanchi Challenge Cup on 28 December 1913 after defeating the Greek team (who won the Alexandria qualifiers) by a score of 6–0. The match was played at the Zamalek's stadium in Bulaq. Zamalek's starting lineup included; Tawfik Abdullah, Soufi, Saeed, Williams, Gamal, Songhurst, Khorazati, Lyon, Southon, and Arangi. The match started at 3:07 p.m., Lyon scored the first goal in the ninth minute, and Khorazati scored the second goal in the 28th minute, and Khorazati scored two goals in the second half. Before reaching the final match, Zamalek played at home with the Italian Brotherhood team on 23 November 1913, and played with the same team on 30 November 1913.