(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Mahmoud Houda Shines at Men’s U21 World Championship, Triples U19 Scoring Output
30 Aug 2025
Mahmoud Abdelbaki, known as Houda, has made a remarkable leap from his early days at the FIVB Boys’ U19 World Championship 2023 to becoming one of Egypt’s standout performers at the Men’s U21 World Championship 2025.
At the U19 tournament, Houda scored 48 points overall, with a best performance of 17 points against Argentina. Two years later, at the U21 level, he has emerged as a key scorer for Egypt, racking up 102 points in pool play, including a spectacular 31-point game against the United States.
“In this championship, I am performing much better than the last World Championship. It’s a great tournament, and we are happy to be here,” Houda said.
Houda’s rise is also a point of pride for Egypt, which has been working to re-establish itself on the global volleyball stage. “People say they haven’t seen Egypt for years, but we are still a very strong team in Africa,” he noted.
Beyond his personal success, Houda hopes to inspire young players to pursue the sport. “Work hard, study, train well, and try volleyball. God will be with you,” he said.
Domestically, Houda has joined Zamalek, one of Egypt’s top volleyball clubs, which has provided him with opportunities to compete at a high level and prepare for international challenges. Looking ahead, he aims to play in Europe’s top leagues, particularly in Italy or France, to further develop his career.
Houda also draws inspiration from international stars, including TJ DeFalco (USA), Wilfredo Leon (Poland), and Alessandro Michieletto (Italy).
The leap from U19 to U21 has proven Houda’s readiness for the next stage, as he continues to make a name for himself on the international volleyball scene.
