RIYADH, 14 May — Saudi Arabia may be the only Arab team to qualify for three World Cup finals in a row and their fans are as fanatic as any, but only a few hundred are expected to make the costly trip to Japan.
Thousands normally travel with the national team to major games abroad, especially in neighboring Arab countries, creating a carnival atmosphere of non-stop chanting to drumbeats.
This time, however, the numbers are not going to be the same.
Despite high oil prices, average Saudis are by no means as affluent as they once were.
Unemployment is estimated to be as high as 20 percent, and with the population ballooning to 22 million, annual per capita income has dwindled from over $26,000 two decades ago to under $7,000 today.
The Saudi Football Federation is not organizing any special flights for fans to Japan where the national team opens its World Cup 2002 campaign on June 1 against traditional power Germany in Sapporo.
"The official delegation which includes the players, the coaching staff, administrators, journalists and supervisors will consist of 50 to 70 people," Sulaiman Al-Nafe, the team’s media coordinator said.
"These are the people who will travel to the World Cup. So far, we have no plans to transport fans," he told AFP. If demand surges, last-minute plans could still be made with travel agencies.
A small number of travel agents are nonetheless organizing group tours to Japan. "We have announced full packages ranging from $2,500 for the first two games only, to $3,600 to watch the first round’s three fixtures," Fahd Mohammad of Al-Tayyar Travels said.
In group E, the Saudi team’s last game is on June 11 against Ireland.
The package includes a return ticket, accommodation in a three-star hotel, tickets for games and food, Mohammad told AFP.
So far, only 150 people have booked with the agency, one of the major operators in Saudi Arabia.
One agent said many fans who came to inquire about a booking went away disappointed, unable to pay the prices. Many admitted they simply could not afford it.
And younger supporters are also complaining that school and university exams clash with the games.
Stay-at-home supporters will be able to see the Saudis’ first three games live on state-run television.
But that is a concession from Arab Radio and Television (ART), owned by media tycoon Saleh Kamel, who has bought the exclusive rights for the whole Middle East.
Any other games, including if Saudi Arabia progress, will come at a minimum cost of $160 for a subscription to ART and an additional $300 for a digital receiver.
Football has witnessed a dramatic development since Saudi Arabia, under national coach Khalil Al-Zayani won their first Asian trophy in 1984, beating China in the final 2-0.
Senior Saudi clubs turned professional a decade ago and since then have signed quality soccer players from Africa and Brazil and internationally renowned coaches.
The major clubs command strong loyalty, which many liken to support for political parties, which are banned.
Al-Nasser and Al-Hilal from Riyadh, and Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli from Jeddah form a top quartet who have earned a strong reputation on the Arab and Asian scene.
Any game between these clubs is guaranteed to attract a minimum of 30,000 spectators and as many as 70,000 at Riyadh’s King Fahd stadium.
The rivalry continues off the pitch into government offices, schools and universities.
Saudi Arabia, who reached the finals of the last five Asian championships, winning three of them, are again under national coach Nasser Al-Jowhar and hope to do as well as in the 1994 World Cup in the United States.
