The president of Ohod Club recounts the details of lifting the registration ban and investment plans
In a pivotal move that rearranges the cards within the corridors of one of the oldest Saudi clubs, the management of “Uhud” club, headed by Khaled Ruwaifed Al-Saadi, succeeded in turning the page on a dark chapter that almost threatened the future of the entity, announcing victory in a difficult legal and financial battle to lift the ban on registration imposed by the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA).
The spirit returns to "The Lofty Mountain"
Al-Ahli Club holds a special place in the Saudi sports landscape, not only because it represents Medina, but also due to its long and distinguished history across various sports. The club recently faced a difficult period due to accumulated debts and international legal issues, which threatened its technical and administrative stability. However, the current administration's recent actions have provided a lifeline, restoring hope to Al-Ahli fans that the club can return to strong competition.
Three-track strategy to end the crisis
In detailing this achievement, club president Khaled Al-Saadi revealed that the administration did not settle for temporary solutions, but rather adopted a "three-pronged approach" to address the heavy debt burden. The first prong involved rigorous legal due diligence on the claims, while the second focused on marathon negotiations with creditors to reduce the financial strain, culminating in the third prong of immediate repayment.
Al-Saadi praised the pivotal role of the Ministry of Sports, represented by the Undersecretary for Club Affairs, Abdulaziz Al-Musaed, stressing that government support and diligent follow-up were decisive factors in closing this thorny issue forever, thus paving the way for a new phase of compliance with governance and financial transparency standards.
Comprehensive restructuring: wage reduction and investment
The work wasn't limited to external issues; it extended to internal structural reforms. The administration successfully reduced the payroll by 62% by eliminating administrative duplication and streamlining expenses, without compromising operational efficiency. In the next phase, the administration aims to activate the investment portfolio to ensure resource sustainability, rather than relying solely on direct support, thereby increasing the club's market value and making it more attractive to sponsors.
"The Basket of Truth" and age groups... a top priority
Regarding basketball, a sport considered the historical legacy of Ohod Club and nicknamed "The Basketball of Truth," Al-Saadi pledged to directly oversee the sport's development to return it to its former glory, emphasizing that the team's current struggles would not last. He also stressed that the upcoming technical strategy would primarily rely on the club's youth players to form the backbone of the first team, limiting external signings to positions requiring specialized expertise.
Al-Saadi concluded his remarks with a message of reassurance to the fans, stressing that the silence in the past period was “administrative discipline” to ensure the success of the negotiations, and that the club is now ready to open a new page whose title is work and achievement.
