KUWAIT CITY, June 30: Al-Arabi began training on the sub-field of Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, as the Al-Sahel Stadium is currently undergoing maintenance. Training will continue until July 18, after which the team will depart for Bosnia to hold a training camp until August 1 in preparation for the new season's competitions.

Most first-team players participated in the training, alongside elements of the under-21 team. Absent from the first session were Moroccan Hamza Khaba, Anayo Iwala, and Sofiane Bouchard, and Imad Eddine Boubacar.

Al-Arabi media coordinator Mishaal Al-Obakal announced that the foreign players, especially Khaba and Iwala, will join in the next few days. The new Algerian player, Ahmed Khalidi, is expected to arrive by the end of this week. Regarding Bouchard, Sfaxien, and Boubacar, Al-Obakal stated, “All three have contracts with Al-Arabi. The decision to continue or loan them is up to the Board of Directors.”

He added that Hassan Hamdan and Bandar Al-Salama, who are undergoing treatment in Qatar, were absent from training. Al-Salama is expected to join the team before it departs for Bosnia. Sultan Al-Anazi, currently on vacation, will rejoin within the next two days. “The offers received for local players are being reviewed by a special committee headed by club president Abdulaziz Ashour,” Al-Obakal explained.

Al-Obakal also revealed that there are no ongoing negotiations with local players since the club signed Yaqoub Al-Tararwa and Muhammad Khaled. The technical staff, led by coach Nasser Al-Shatti, plans to rely heavily on young talent, with seven players from the under-19 team having the opportunity to prove themselves in the new season.

Regarding Abdullah Ammar and Badr Tariq, Al-Obakal commented, “Al-Arabi has many distinguished players who will undoubtedly attract offers from other clubs. Abdullah Ammar and Badr Tariq are key members of the team with valid contracts. I hope their issues are resolved quickly.”

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff