JEDDAH, 13 October 2003 — A campaign was launched on Saturday night to collect one million signatures to muster support for the Saudi national soccer team.

Prince Turki ibn Khalid, general supervisor of the First National Football Team, kicked off the campaign with his signature at a ceremony held at Jeddah Hilton Hotel.

The ceremony preceded a press conference where Bashar Kiwan, managing director of the Riyadh-based Roya Company for Sports, part of the Makshaff Group, described the project as the first of its kind.

“The project is meant to rally support for the Saudi team, which is aimed at activating a process for increased attendance at various national, regional and international matches,” Kiwan said.

It is also the first time the Saudi National Team have their own logo. It is a ‘green” circular logo with a palm tree, a pair of crossed swords and a football at the bottom. “We’re with you” is the theme of the campaign.

The campaign covers about 30 members of the team. They include 22 players and coaching and medical staff.

“Merchandizing will form part of the campaign in which the public can demonstrate their support by collecting items like specially made gold plates, pins, T-shirts, caps, etc., all meant to raise funds,” he said, adding that the signature campaign will be extended to schools and universities throughout the Kingdom.

The Roya Company for Sports, also called Shoot Vision, has entered into a SR18 million contract to run the campaign and muster support from the public and sponsors,” Elias Wakim, general manager of the company’s Jeddah office, said. The contract is for three and a half years that goes six months beyond the next World Cup.

“The contract will cover training activities and camps of the team as well as their friendly matches locally, regionally and internationally,” he added.

“Sponsorship does not mean merely advancing funds to the team. It also involves investment into building a strong national team,” he added.

As part of the campaign, coupons will be distributed to the general public, which will be entered into a mega draw for prizes, he said.