by Ian Marshall, Editor
Dedicated to the sport of table tennis, he served the most prominent Umpires and Referees Committees with great pride and dignity; for the International Table Tennis Federation he was a full member, for both the African Table Tennis Federation and the Egyptian Table Tennis Federation, he was the chair.
“Today is a truly tragic day for table tennis officials and players and all of us who knew Mr Bassyouni. We are heartbroken and in a state of utter shock but seeking patience with our sincere belief in fate and destiny. He was one of the most honourable international referees in the Arab and African table tennis community and widely respected in the international scene. He is well known for his dedication and love for table tennis. He was also a person with strong faith, courageous spirit, a giving heart and love for everyone. My condolences to his family and all his students and lovers in table tennis.” Alaa Meshref, ITTF Executive Vice-President in charge of relations for Africa.
Quiet, reserved, unassuming, never seeking the limelight, a kindly disposition; the personality of Mohamed Bassyouni befitted that of being referee, assessor, evaluator and course conductor.
You never heard an angry word or one taken in haste. He was the true gentleman in every sense of the word. Courteous, he would not be hurried, in whatever task he faced; matters were directed in a thoughtful, precise and methodical manner.
In the role of referee, if required to adjudicate when called upon by an umpire, he would listen calmly to all concerned and make a quantified decision that enabled play to proceed. He would never rise to the bait of making an impetuous response. It was the manner in which he resolved a dispute that gained the respect of all.
Always displaying the very highest integrity, his knowledge was highly valued but perhaps to a greater extent was his caring nature. Every person who attended one of his courses was of equal value; that fact was illustrated in the reports that he would send for publication on the ITTF website.
Often he would send a few words and a photograph after only the first day, I would publish and then immediately he would reply with deep gratitude, showing the course members the article. The action underlined the fact that he cared deeply for the students, he wished to do everything to motivate those in his remit.
Most able, always willing to help and support, a member of the ITTF Advanced Referees project, earlier this year he was the evaluator for international umpires on the ITTF World Tour in China and in Germany as well as at the Commonwealth Championships in Cuttack.
“Mohamed coined the URC work. As a URC member, he emphasised the importance of table tennis development especially in Africa. Whenever we planned to do initiatives with Africa and Arab countries, he was always the first one we could depend upon.” Young-Sam Ma, Chair ITTF Umpires and Referess Committee (URC)
A most sad loss to the sport but in the table tennis world, the name lives on. Omar, his son, assisted with interviews and reports at the 2015 African Championships in Cairo; currently in his last year at the Faculty of Engineering at Alexandria University, he is qualified Technical Director for para table tennis tournaments.
Our thoughts are with Omar, his mother Salwa, his sisters Nehal and Reham; our sincere condolences.
Mohamed Bassyouni was a credit to the sport of table tennis, a credit to his country, a credit to his family; he is sadly missed.