Al-Wahda Club Presidency Race: Al-Sharif Announces His Candidacy to Succeed the Current Administration
A new electoral scene in Mecca
The eyes of the Saudi sports community, and especially those of the fans of the historic Al-Wahda club, are focused on the upcoming general assembly, which will determine the identity of the club's new administration. In this context, Ahmed Al-Sharif, a prominent member of Al-Ahli club, announced his readiness to run for the presidency of Al-Wahda, submitting a comprehensive plan aimed at restoring the "Knights of Mecca" to their rightful place in the Saudi Professional League. This announcement comes after the Ministry of Sports opened nominations for the presidency and board membership, which are scheduled to begin next Sunday and continue until Tuesday.
Al-Sharif's electoral list includes names with extensive experience within Al-Wahda, most notably Marwan Shaaban, who will assume the position of vice president. Shaaban boasts a distinguished administrative career within the club, having started as director of the media center in the 1990s, rising through the ranks to become director of football and then vice president under Hatem Khimi's previous administration. Also joining the list is Basem Manqal, a former volleyball player for the club who previously served as secretary-general and board member, adding a blend of administrative and technical expertise to the roster.
An ambitious roadmap in the race for the presidency of Al Wahda Club
Sources close to Al-Sharif's campaign have revealed details of the future plan underpinning his list, which rests on a strong financial foundation and a clear technical vision. The list's leader has pledged to personally contribute up to 10 million riyals annually to ensure the necessary financial stability for implementing the team's plans. On the technical front, the list adopted the report submitted by coach Rossmir, which recommended releasing 14 players and signing 10 new ones, including 5 foreign professionals, to bolster the squad and compete for promotion. The list also confirmed its continued support for the current football director, Ismat Babiker, in recognition of his efforts during his tenure.
A rich history and a future at stake
These elections are of particular importance given Al-Wahda Club's history and status as one of the oldest clubs in Saudi Arabia, having been founded in 1945. Representing the holy city of Mecca, the club carries the aspirations of a large fan base. However, recent years have seen inconsistent results for the first football team, which was recently relegated to the Yellow League (First Division). Therefore, fans view the incoming administration as a lifeline that will bring the team back to prominence and competitiveness with the top clubs, a task that requires diligent work and a strategic vision that goes beyond temporary solutions.
In contrast, the situation remains unclear regarding the candidacy of the current vice president, Turki Madkhali, who is linking his final decision to securing sufficient financial liquidity to implement his plans. The current administration is credited with achieving several successes, most notably saving the team from relegation the season before last, reducing the club's debt from 140 million to approximately 70 million riyals, and lifting the transfer ban that had been imposed on the club. Therefore, the next few days will be crucial in determining the future of the "Knights of Mecca," as the general assembly will choose between a new project led by Al-Sharif or the potential continuation of the current administration.
