JEDDAH, 23 July 2003 — The Arab Soccer Federation is to launch the new Arab Champions League in the month of Shaban with 32 teams in fray.
The draw for the inaugural tournament will be held on Sept. 8, according Muhie Al-Dein Saleh Kamil, president of the sports channel in ART and the president of the organizing committee.
He said three teams from Saudi Arabia — Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal — will participate in the event. Al-Zamalek, Al-Ahli and Al-Ismailia will represent Egypt, he added.
Teams will be categorized in eight levels according to their performance — locally and internationally. The matches will be played on a home-and-away basis. The 32 teams will be divided into four groups and eight teams will qualify after the first round of home-away encounters.
There’ll be three weekly prizes for, player of the match, best team and the top scorer. There’ll be prizes for best commentator, journalist, fair play and for the persons who predict the correct outcome.
