JEDDAH, 6 March 2007 — Audiences and fans of Arab sports have named the Saudi Football League as the best and most powerful Arab championship based on its performance for the year 2006.
The Arab Sports Awards 2006 are the biggest such Arab sports online voting polls organized by Sport4ever (www.sport4ever.com) part of Maktoob.com, the largest Arab online community, for the third consecutive year with a huge participation of sports fans from across the Arab region. The Saudi League topped the Best Championship section followed by the Egyptian League, the Jordanian League, the Syrian League in fourth place and the Qatari League in fifth.
On a player level, Saudi Arabia’s national team and Al-Hilal player Yaser Al-Qahtani came in second in the Best Footballer category while Ittihad’s Ali Al-Mughrabi took second place in the Best Basketball player category. Hilal Club claimed second place in the Best Arab Club section.
Below are the overall results of the public vote for the Best Sports Award for 2006:
Football: Abu Tareka took first place among 20 players, Al Qahtani came in second, Emirati Ismael Mattar third, Syrian Eyad Mando fourth and Jordanian Rafat Ali fifth place. Basketball: Jordan’s national basketball team and Fastlink player Zaid Al Khas came in first, Mughrabi second, Syrian Michelle Maadanli third, Jordanian Ayman Duas fourth and Egyptian Ismael Ahmad fifth.
In the other categories, Qatari Naser Al-Attayh was crowned top player in other sports, Sheikha Maitha Bint Mohammad best Arab female athlete, Saudi League was selected as the most powerful Arab championship, Raof Khalifah best sports commentator, Ayman Gadah best sports program presenter, Mustafa Al Agha best news presenter and Al Mahatah Al Reyadiah the best program. Among other categories, Super was selected as the best sports magazine, ART best channel, Tareq Ziab best analyzer, Habib Zabalawi best correspondent, Al Kora with Dream as the best conversational program and Ousama Al Sheik the best journalist.
Maktoob Sport4ever Manager Samer Kamal said all winners will each be rewarded in his own country. “We launched the Arab Sports Awards in a bid to contribute to and support the development of sports in the Arab world. The overwhelming response we have received has been proof of the immense popularity of sport in our region,” added Kamal. “We felicitate the winners and wish them all the very best as they continue in their respective careers and win laurel upon laurel for their countries.”
