KUWAIT CITY, June 19: Mubarak Al-Jadaan, Deputy Head of the Jahra soccer team, has appealed to His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah, the Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Child Affairs, and the Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Dr. Amthal Hadi Al-Huwaila, to urgently address and resolve the ongoing issues at Al-Jahra club.

The club has been unable to register both local and foreign players since the dissolution of its Board of Directors at the end of last year. This inability to register new players has persisted since January, posing a significant challenge as the club lacks a functional management board. Without a resolution, the club will remain unable to register new players.

Kuwait Football Association is actively seeking solutions, recognizing the urgency as teams are set to begin training by the end of June or early July. Meetings with Al-Jahra officials are planned to address the situation.

Al-Jadaan emphasized that the resolution lies with the General Sports Authority, which needs to grant “signature approval” to the previously invalidated Board of Directors after a judicial ruling restored their rights.

He highlighted that other clubs have already started preparations for the new season, focusing on senior stages. Some of Al-Jahra's players are transferring to other clubs due to the lack of direction for the first team, which currently lacks a coach or medical staff because of administrative constraints.

He warned that player withdrawals might be inevitable due to the lack of contracts, as mandated by the Football Association. Al-Jadaan questioned who would accept that Al-Jahra Club might miss prestigious tournaments, including the Cup of His Highness the Crown Prince.

Team Manager Abdulaziz Madloul expressed his concern, calling the potential withdrawal unfortunate news for both Jahra fans and the broader Kuwaiti football community. He stated that the invalidation of the elected Board of Directors in January 2023 had forced the team to withdraw to maintain its ability to register players.

Madloul asked, “Who benefits from the issues plaguing Jahra Club?” He urged those responsible for hindering the club's interests to reconsider their decisions to allow Al-Jahra, the only club representing the largest governorate in the country, to thrive.

In a related context, Jahra Club President Khalaf Al-Sahu refuted claims about the club's withdrawal from local competitions, asserting that such statements are false. He confirmed that the team would participate in the new season, pending a court decision in 10 days regarding the eligibility of the current council led by him. Al-Sahu also mentioned that all games canceled by the invalidated council would be reinstated.

Khaled El Anzi

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff