Bashar Abdullah, the former Kuwaiti football star, who previously had professional experience with Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia, confirmed that Kuwait’s hosting of the Saudi Super Cup represents an occasion that goes beyond the boundaries of sports competition, noting that it is an opportunity to celebrate the historical relations and close ties that bring together the two brotherly countries and peoples.
Bashar Abdullah said, in an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the championship draw ceremony held on Wednesday in Kuwait: “We are happy to hold the Saudi Super Cup in Kuwait, and we are happy to celebrate our brothers in Saudi Arabia. Naturally, we do not need an occasion to celebrate them, but when we have an opportunity like this, we will not miss it.”
He added: “The occasion may be sporting or football, but it is an opportunity to remind everyone of the Kuwaiti-Saudi relations, and the historical connection and common positions that bring the two countries together, and we are very happy with this hosting.”
The former Kuwaiti national team star pointed out that the Kuwaiti fans have shown great interest in hosting the tournament since it was announced that Kuwait was among the countries nominated to host it.
He said: “The enthusiasm of the Kuwaiti fans has been felt since the name of Kuwait was put forward to host the Saudi Super Cup, and everyone was waiting for this moment. Thank God, the countdown began today through the draw ceremony, and, God willing, you will see what makes you happy.”
Regarding the impact of Al Hilal’s absence from the tournament, especially in light of the great popularity it enjoys in Kuwait and the Gulf, Bashar Abdullah acknowledged that the team’s presence would have given the competitions additional public momentum, but he stressed that the four participating clubs possess sufficient artistic and public value to make the event a success.
He explained: “Certainly, Al-Hilal enjoys a huge fan base in Kuwait and the Gulf, and its presence would have added to the tournament, and Al-Ittihad also has a great history, but the four currently participating teams have their fans in Kuwait, especially Al-Nasr and Al-Ahly, given their history and championships.”
Bashar Abdullah praised the levels presented by Al-Qadisiyah Saudi Arabia, saying: “For me, Al-Qadisiyah is one of the best teams that presented football during the current season, and even last season.”
He stressed that the strength of competition in the Saudi League gives the tournament its value, regardless of the identity of the participating teams, adding: “We are talking about the Saudi League, and the levels and great competition that we see between its clubs, and the Super League is ultimately a Saudi championship, and whatever the four participating teams are, I am sure that they will receive the same celebration.”
Kuwait will host the Saudi Super Cup competitions during the period from 19 to 23 December, with the participation of Al-Ahly, Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Nasr and Al-Koloud, after the semi-final draw resulted in a confrontation between Al-Ahly and Al-Qadisiyah, while Al-Nasr will meet with Al-Koloud.
Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khalid Al Saud, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to Kuwait, affirmed that all Saudi Professional League clubs deserve praise, pointing out that the four teams participating in the Saudi Super Cup do not alone represent the champion clubs, but rather that all league teams are considered champions.
Prince Sultan bin Saad said, in media statements on the sidelines of the Saudi Super Cup draw ceremony held on Wednesday, in Kuwait: “Not only the four participating clubs are the champions, but all the Saudi League clubs are champions, thank God, and we hope that all the clubs will participate, as they all deserve to be in the Super Cup.”
Regarding the addition that Kuwait’s hosting of the tournament will provide, the Saudi ambassador stressed that the Kuwaiti presence will give the competitions a distinctive character, citing the success of Kuwait’s hosting of the Gulf Cup in 2024.
He said: “There is no doubt that the Kuwaiti flavor is present in all fields, and I believe that the greatest evidence of this in the sporting field is the 2024 Gulf Cup, which was distinguished not only by its matches, but also by the public presence and the atmosphere witnessed outside the stadium.”
He added that this experience strengthens his confidence that Kuwaiti hosting will be a great addition to the Saudi Super Cup tournament.
The draw for the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup, which was held on Wednesday, in Kuwait, resulted in Al-Qadisiyah facing off against Al-Ahly, while Al-Nasr will meet its counterpart, Al-Koloud, in the tournament scheduled to be held during the period from 19 to 23 December.
The draw ceremony took place in the presence of Prince Sultan bin Saad bin Khalid, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwait Football Association, and Dr. Tariq Al-Jalahma, Kuwaiti Minister of Sports.
The draw ceremony witnessed the participation of two of the most prominent former Kuwaiti football stars: Ali Marawi, the former Kuwaiti national team player, who previously played professionally with Al-Ahly Saudi Arabia, and Bashar Abdullah, the former Kuwaiti national team star, who had a professional experience with Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia.
The two semi-final matches will witness competition between the four teams for the two tickets to qualify for the final match, as Al-Ahly and Al-Qadisiyah seek to overcome the semi-final obstacle in the first match, while Al-Nasr and Al-Koloud are looking to reserve the second ticket.
Kuwait is scheduled to host the tournament competitions during the period from December 19 to 23, with the winners of the two semi-final matches meeting in the final match to determine the champion of the new edition of the Saudi Super Cup.
