JEDDAH, 27 September 2007 — The tug-of-war between Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal for the services of defender Hamad Al-Muntashiri is apparently over after a well-known Ittihadi fan who was not named convinced Al-Muntashiri to stay with the Al-Ittihad club. On Tuesday, Al-Muntashiri signed the contract with Ittihad President Mansour Al-Balawi for SR4million over five years. Al-Muntashiri thus effectively renewed his contract which ends on Oct. 6. Hilal had made an offer of SR7million plus luxury car to Al-Muntashiri. This means Al-Muntashari will officially play his last game against Al-Taie on Saturday pending completion of paper works with the Professional Welfare Committee of the Saudi Football Federation.
Arab Tennis Technical Committee Meeting
JEDDAH — Prince Sultan ibn Fahd, president of the Saudi Youth Welfare, approved hosting the Arab tennis Technical Committee meeting today in Riyadh under the presidency of Rasheed Al-Hamad, secretary-general at the Saudi Tennis Federation and council member of Arab Tennis Federation. The event will discuss the cap on the number of athletes and countries participating in Pan Arab Games tennis tournament to be held in Egypt in November. Also on the agenda are the 2008-2009 program of activities and possibility of coming up with a best players list in all Arab championships for all age groups.
Saudi Lifters in GCC Championship
JEDDAH — Saudi weightlifters are seeing action in the 7th GCC Weightlifting Championship for Men and the 6th for Youth to be held in Kuwait from Oct. 20 to 24. An official from the Saudi Weightlifting and Body Building Federation said the team are undergoing an intensive training camp under the supervision of coach Ibrahim Hassounah in Al-Qateef for 26 days, and in Riyadh for four days from Oct. 15.
Al-Yamamah College Football
JEDDAH — Al-Riyadh and Sadous club booked their seats at the Al-Yamamah College 3rd Ramadan annual football tournament semifinals. Al-Riyadh team managed to qualify after crushing Al-Hilaliyah 4-3, and best player award went Bandar Hawasawi of Al-Riyadh on Tuesday. In the second match, Sadous crushed Al-Sharq 3-0. Sadous’ footballer Salim Al-Inizi won best player award too. On Wednesday, Al-Hilal Olympic team beat Al-Shabab 4-0 and will play against Al-Riyadh, and Al-Shoulah outplayed the Royal Guard team 4-5 after penalty kicks to advance opposite Sadous in the semifinals. President of the event’s media committee Ibrahim Al-Malik said prizes would be distributed among the spectators during the semifinals, which will kick off at 10 p.m. today.
3rd NCB Soccer Semifinals Tomorrow
JEDDAH — The host team National Commercial Bank (NCB) advanced to the semifinals after beating Al-Fao Bagaddou International 3-0 on penalty kicks, and Mohammed Aboud Al-Amoudi also qualified after beating Ajwaa Company 3-1 in the 3rd NCB Ramadan annual soccer tournament at the NCB stadium in Al-Rihaab District here. Winner of the first game between Bugshan Company and Bridgestone will play against Mohammed Aboud Al-Amoudi in tomorrow’s semifinals, while winner in the game pitting Al-Hada Water Company against Abdulkhaliq Saeed Company play NCB on the same day.
Ittihad Set Rules to Stem Red Cards
JEDDAH — Al-Ittihad club has set down rules aimed at keeping their players from being shown the yellow and red cards in the Saudi Football League now on its fifth week. Any player red carded every so often will not be entitled to bonuses and slapped a salary cut of at least 20 percent. Punishments for incurring the yellow cards were not spelled out as yellows are sometimes unfairly meted out.
— Razan Baker & Naif Muhammed
