The town of Nag Hammadi was established by Mahmoud Pasha Hammadi, who was a member of the Hammadi family in nearby Sohag. Mahmoud Pasha Hammadi was a major landholder in Sohag, and known for his strong opposition to the British occupation.
Mahmoud Pasha Hammadi created Nag Hammadi for the indigenous people from Sohag who were forced to abandon their homeland by the British occupation. In recognition of this, the new town was given the name “Hammadi”. It has population of about 30,000, the majority being peasants. Sugar and aluminium are produced in Nag Hammâdi.
The local team are Aluminium Naq Hammadi, once playing at top flight level in Egypt, attracting a mere two hundred for regular home games and packing to the rafters for the visits of Al Ahly and Zamalek.
The 16,000 capacity stadium is located in a self-supporting compound, accommodating thousands of workers, hosting an international school, a hospital, a library and a swimming arena of olympic size.
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