Fram at Gouna: 14 Editions and counting….
Just in case you don’t know what El Gouna means. You are allowed to discover the event/town!
Oh boy, where to start?
Initially, El Gouna was just a beautiful beach close to Hurghada on the Red Sea. And thirty five years ago, Samih Sawiris, founder of Orascom DH and El Gouna founding company, found this beautiful spot. Initially, he wanted to make it a “havre de paix”, a lovely nest for his friends.
That was the “beginning of a beautiful adventure”, with a stunning little hidden paradise that blossomed into a vibrant and colourful community…
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- Origin: Originally intended to be a private holiday spot for Sawiris and his friends, the lack of infrastructure prompted the development of a self-contained town.
- Development Phase:
Construction began in earnest around 1990, transforming a coastal strip 20km north of Hurghada into a sustainable, eco-friendly destination.
- Infrastructure Growth: The town was developed with its own airport, two championship golf courses, three marinas, and a hospital – I tested it for you last year, twice a day for the whole event, I can tell you, top class place – attracting more residents and tourists over time.
- Architecture: Designed by renowned European and American architects, the buildings reflect traditional Egyptian, Nubian-inspired styles with domes and courtyards.
- Sustainability & Awards: El Gouna is known for its environmental commitment, including a comprehensive zero-waste system (85% waste recycled) and desalination plants
Modern Status: Today, it is a popular resort town with over 12,000 residents, numerous luxury hotels (18+) and hosts events such as the El Gouna Film Festival, which is organised by the same promoter, our own Amr Mansi
Squash in Gouna
It all started with Amr Mansi in 2010, a PSA player based in Alexandria, who just approached two of the most famous businessmen in Egypt, the Sawiris Brothers, with his dream of organising a squash event in El Gouna. Marrying squash with tourism. And it worked.
Was it easy? No.
The first years were a bit.. organised chaos, with the organising part, Bless Them. It was just a great idea, with very little experience, but a lot of heart and passion. We started in a parking at the entrance of the Marina, with qualifying in Alexandria…
The second edition:
Then we had the qualifying and the round one in one court – yes, a single court at the Movenpick before playing the later rounds in the Marina, we finally got a real squash centre with four courts, with the later rounds played in the impressive Conference Centre, seconds from the Squash Centre.
A little best of with Amr Mansi, the genius behind the Squash event, but so many more in Egypt now…
Let’s listen to Omar El Sherbini, brother of Nour, who was at the very start of the adventure…
One of the most difficult times was the COVID era – the event survived the Egyptian Revolution, and was the first major event to be cancelled in 2020. We came back in June 2021 in the new Conference Centre
Last year, we had a new “souffle de vie”, a new fresh view on squash in Gouna with our Annabelle Bullough….
This year again, we are in the Sheraton, and I have to thank Mansi and his team, especially my adorable Ahmed Nazih, who makes my life a dream in Gouna, and of course, the PSA, as they are the one that organises it all for me…
But I kept the best for last. The Year, 2014
One of the best ever squash matches ever played. “How’s your blood pressure Fram”, Nick Matthew…
But don’t miss Joey Barrington, commenting on the closing ceremony, with Lee Beachill about to collapse.. One of the funniest thing I ever heard.. I still have tears in my eyes every time I listen to it…
So, if you want to know a bit more about the past events, just click on History in the Menu, and also review the past years’ reports on the Report Tab… And for the photos.. you know where to go!!
