JEDDAH, 7 May 2007 — Sports in the Kingdom lost a friend and great supporter with the death of Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed on Saturday in the United States after a long illness.
In deference to his death major sporting events have been suspended including the final round matches in the Saudi Football League.
Meantime, tributes flowed from across the country for the man who was widely regarded as an inspiring public figure among the sports people.
In Jeddah, Ittihad footballer Hamza Idrees said Saudi Arabia has lost a great personality and one of the best supporters of all athletes and clubs especially in this region.
“I can never forget the words he offered whenever we won or lost. It was always motivating and encouraging us to move forward. He was always doing his best to remove any obstacle we may face,” he said.
Dr. Hashim Hariri, former president of Al-Wehda club in Makkah, said the prince wanted to enhance Makkah from its different aspects including sports. “He was a well mannered person who responded to all our requests that dealt with developing the citizens.”
Jamal Tunsi, immediate past president of the Makkah-based club, said “we could not deny his role in renewing the athletes contracts here and his beliefs in them and in keeping them in the team. “He advised us to keep our rising stars because they are the ones who would bring laurel to the club and supported them emotionally and financially,” he added.
Prince Abdul Majeed’s love of sport was not confined to football. He was also great fan of skydiving. Maj. Mubarak Al-Suwailem, deputy president of the Arab Federation for Aerial Sports, said “we are still living in a shock. He did so much to us. He is the founder of aerial sports in the Kingdom.” The prince introduced it to the civilians and held many festivals and championships first in Madinah and then in Makkah and other cities. “If we developed by any means, then we owe it to the prince,” said Al-Suwailem.
Snooker twins Ahmed and Nezar Asseri also mourned the loss of their benefactor. He was not only a supporter, “in difficult times when I wanted to quit, he advised me not to do so and allowed my brother and I to train at the Hilton Hotel on his account for a whole year before he got sick,” said Nezar.
The prince was a snooker player himself too, he added, and a modest one who attended our matches and played a few games with Ahmed. “He is a dear person and a guidance, and I am positive we were not the only ones whose lives he touched,” said Nezar.
