Al-Jalahma: Championship Adds Importance to Kuwait's Sports Landscape

The draw for the 13th edition of the Saudi Super Cup has determined the semi-final matchups, with Al-Qadsiah facing Al-Ahli in the first match and Al-Nassr taking on Al-Khaleej in the second. The competitions will be held at Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium in Kuwait.

The draw ceremony took place yesterday in Kuwait, attended by the Minister of State for Youth and Sports Affairs, Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Kuwait, Prince Sultan bin Saad Al Saud, representatives of the Saudi clubs, and several officials.

Dr. Al-Jalahma emphasized that Kuwait’s hosting of the Saudi Super Cup represents a significant addition to the Kuwaiti sports landscape, reflecting confidence in the country’s capabilities and organizational capacity to host major sporting events and tournaments.

In a statement to KUNA, Minister Al-Jalahma said that hosting this football event aligns with the state’s strategy to enhance Kuwait’s standing as a regional destination for hosting major sporting events, boost sports tourism, and attract fans from within and outside the country, thereby positively impacting the sports, economic, and tourism sectors.

He added that the government is highly committed to providing all necessary resources and facilitations to ensure the success of the tournament, noting that cooperation and coordination between government entities and the private sector reflect a model of effective partnership in organizing sporting events, ensuring a distinctive edition befitting Kuwait’s status and Saudi football.

He clarified that hosting the tournament, which enjoys widespread fan interest, presents an opportunity to showcase Kuwait’s sports facilities and the capabilities of national cadres in organization and management, reaffirming the state’s commitment to continue attracting championships and sporting occasions that contribute to the development of the sports sector and strengthen its presence at both the regional and international levels.

The semi-final matches will kick off on December 19, with Al-Qadsiah facing Al-Ahli, followed by Al-Nassr against Al-Khaleej on December 20. The final will be held on December 23.

Khaled Al-Sayer, the tournament director, delivered a speech on behalf of the organizing groups (Al-Rai) and (Aayan), stating that Kuwait’s hosting of this championship was supported and guided by the political leadership, which places great emphasis on the youth and sports sectors. He affirmed that organizing this sporting event reflects the deep-rooted fraternal relations between Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Sayer expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi Football Federation for its trust in Kuwait to host the tournament, and conveyed his deep thanks and appreciation to all government entities for their cooperation and efforts in supporting the organization of this sporting event. He reaffirmed the organizing committee’s commitment to providing a unique sporting experience for fans, befitting the tournament’s stature and reflecting Kuwait’s ability to host and organize major sporting events.

The draw ceremony featured a video report covering the history of the Saudi Super Cup and its key milestones since its inception, alongside another report highlighting the clubs participating in the current edition.

Also present at the draw ceremony were Bishr Abdullah Al-Muharrami, Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports, a former player at Al-Hilal Club, and Ali Al-Mawri, a retired Kuwaiti international and former player at Al-Ahli Club.

The Saudi Super Cup began in 2013, with Al-Hilal Club leading the list of most successful teams with five titles, followed by Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli with two titles each. Al-Ittihad, Al-Fateh, and Al-Shabab have each won it once.

It is worth noting that Al-Ahli Club is the champion of the previous edition held in Hong Kong, and player Abdulrazak Hamdallah is the all-time top scorer of the Saudi Super Cup with seven goals.