JEDDAH, 13 July 2006 — New Al-Ittihad football club coach Salem Khalelhufitch has devised a training regimen for his players that puts emphasis on fitness. Hopefully, this system will translate into results when the new season starts next month with the Prince Faisal ibn Fahd Cup competition.
Khalelhufitch is to put his players under a rigorous training program to increase their level of fitness. After this and depending on his assessment, Khalelhufitch will line up friendly matches against local Saudi clubs under the second stage of the program.
Ittihad club is to introduce new faces from the youth team in the competition. The coach wants to make good selection of young blood to reinforce the veteran players. In the fitness training stage, the coach has selected some new players. The list will then drop down to 22 players only.
Khalelhufitch chose six players from the youth team and they are Abdullah Haydar, Ali Falata, Basem Al-Shareef, Naif Al-Balawi, Abdullah Al-Jamman and Obaid Al-Shammari.
Khalelhufitch’s request to have an internal training camp in Abha has been granted by Ittihad club management. He said the players will benefit from the cool weather besides being able to play local Abha teams. The 12-day training camp ends on July 22 .
Khalelhufitch expressed his joy that the players were serious about training. He complimented the players saying that they are good and will benefit the team next season.
