JEDDAH, 30 January 2007 — Saudi football suffered an irrepairable loss with the death of its official Abdullah Al-Dabal who had a massive heart attack after Saudi Arabia lost the semifinal match on Saturday against UAE 1-0 in the 18th Gulf Cup Championship.

Al-Dabal, popularly known as ‘Abu Khalid,’ suffered a cardiac arrest in his hotel room after returning from the Mohamed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi where he watched the Saudi-UAE match.

Born on March 17, 1953 Al-Dabal held many positions since he joined the Saudi Football Federation. He was president of the Professionalism Committee and member of the Saudi Football Federation and chairman of the important Competitions Committee and Organizing Committee for club competitions at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). He was also member at the Executive Committee, president at the Development Committee at the AFC. In addition to being a member of the AFC Asian Cup 2007 Organizing Committee. He was also President at Al-Ittifaq Football Club.

Tributes poured for the man whose untimely demise left a void that would be difficult to fill.

“Abdullah was not only a great football administrator, but also a great human being and a good friend,” AFC President Mohammed bin Hammam said on the AFC official website.

“His contribution to not only Asian football but also world football has been enormous and shall never be forgotten. The fact that he was heading key AFC Standing Committees such as the AFC Competitions Committee and the AFC Club Competitions Organizing Committee speaks for itself.”

AFC Secretary General Dato Paul Mony Samuel recalled his long association with Al-Dabal. “He used to raise important issues and worked on developing a consensus. His vast experience helped in tackling issues without losing objectivity,” said Samuel.

Junji Ogura, AFC Executive Committee member and vice-president of the Japan Football Association, said: “Al Dabal was a very important friend of mine in the football family and I worked with him in various competitions in Asia, starting with the AFC Asian Cup held in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1992. I am shocked by his death.”

“His contribution to the development of football in Asia was great. May his soul rest in peace.”

Al-Dabal was buried in his hometown of Dammam yesterday.