Egypt’s Mariam Mohamed Metwally was only four years old when her country’s women’s volleyball national team last conquered Africa in 2003. What does she remember about that historic success?
“I really don’t know,” she responded with a laugh.
One year later, she signed up for Al Ahly’s academy at the age of five.
Mariam Metwally and the volleyball family
Volleyball is deeply rooted in her family, making it a natural path for a girl whose father, Mohammed, was a Zamalek setter. However, she was inspired to play the sport by her brother Omar, who played for Al Ahly. All six siblings play volleyball.
“I was always looking up to him, copying him, and wanting to be like him,” revealed the second born of the six siblings.
Growing up, Mariam Mohamed Metwally aka ‘Meeto’ admired her mum, who passed away when she was very young, and believes she carries a version of her in whatever she does.
“I grew up wanting to make her proud and become the best version of myself. In many ways, I’ve always wanted to be a little version of her and carry the qualities I admired in her with me throughout my life,” she revealed.
Metwally wears her nickname on her jersey No. 20. The idea came from her oldest brother, whose friends called him ‘Meeto’ from the name Metwally.
