Majed Abdullah honors the 1970s generation at the Friends of Players Association breakfast
On a Ramadan evening embodying the highest ideals of loyalty and gratitude, the Friends of Football Players Charitable Association held its annual Iftar banquet for 2026 on Wednesday. The event was attended by a distinguished group of prominent sports figures, partners, and supporters, in a spiritual atmosphere that reflected the spirit of social solidarity deeply rooted in the Saudi sports community.
The generation of the seventies: the first building block of Saudi football
This celebration comes as a special tribute to the pioneering generation, with Captain Majed Ahmed Abdullah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association and a legend of Saudi football, highlighting the importance of caring for the 1970 generation. The "Blazing Arrow" pointed out that this particular generation represents the cornerstone of Saudi sports history, having played under difficult circumstances and made immense sacrifices to raise the Kingdom's name in an era preceding the current professional era and financial boom. Majed, who was seven years old at the time, affirmed that watching these stars inspired him, making serving them today a moral obligation and a top priority on the Association's agenda.
Record numbers and innovative initiatives
During the ceremony, the association reviewed its impressive track record of digital achievements, reflecting the extensive and dedicated work it has undertaken to serve veteran players and their families. The association's president revealed that the number of beneficiaries in the support program reached 87,424 1,368 individuals benefited from housing services and 1,753 were supported through the economic empowerment program . The association also highlighted its healthcare services, which benefited 1,395 individuals , underscoring the comprehensive nature of the care provided.
The association's initiatives are diverse, encompassing housing, training and rehabilitation programs, the "Start Your Own Business" initiative, the "Complete Your Education" program, as well as furnishing homes, supporting coaches, and employing players. These efforts are part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at enhancing the social and economic stability of those who have served Saudi sports.
From a personal dream to an institutional entity
Majed Abdullah discussed the story of the association's founding, noting that it began as an idea stemming from personal experience and firsthand observation of the struggles faced by some of his fellow players after retirement. He explained that the transformation from a mere individual initiative to a sustainable institutional entity within the Kingdom's non-profit sector required strenuous efforts and collaboration with dedicated individuals like Fahad Al-Dosari and Engineer Fahad Al-Mutawa, to ensure the establishment of a system capable of preserving the players' dignity and providing them with a decent life.
The ceremony concluded with an emphasis on the association continuing to expand its services to include future generations, with a continued focus on the most needy groups, in order to consolidate the concept of social responsibility in the sports sector, and in line with the Kingdom’s vision to enhance the quality of life for all segments of society.
