Al Shabab nurse hopes for future

Al Shabab Club have turned a new leaf and are headed towards a new era, according to the chairman of the Temporary Committee, Dr Ahmed Saif Belhasa.

Though the beneficiary of a generous debt cut totalling 60 per cent of the amount owed to the Dubai Government, the think tank at Al Shabab know they are headed in the right direction.

"We are eternally grateful to His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and to Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Finance and Industry Minister and to General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister for the decision in trimming down our debts by 60 per cent," Dr Belhasa acknowledged at a press conference held at the club's premises late on Saturday.

"Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Al Shabab President, too has stood by us and our decisions and we owe him a lot too," the chairman added.

"We will now have to concentrate and pay off the balance 40 per cent that we owe the government," Dr Belhasa disclosed.

Independent sources pegged the amount owed by the club to the government at Dh7 million, though there was no confirmation of the actual figure.

The change has been mirrored in the fact that the relegation threatened football side managed to stay afloat in the senior division for yet another year. It has been hard work, no doubt, as seen by the fact that the temporary committee has met no less than 13 times in the past six months.

Unlucky for some, but in their case the number of meetings have worked wonders as they started seeing a better financial and club-level stability.

Given this background, Sheikh Saeed has approved of the club's short-term goals concerning the football, handball, basketball, volleyball and table tennis teams.

"The future is secure. All we need to do now is to show patience with the players and allow them the space to perform," he added.

Dr Belhasa also stated that the club is mulling additional facilities at its premises.

The senior team coach Rainer Hollman will continue with the club for another season. Iranian players Ali Daei and Mehrdad Minavand have been replaced by Brazilians Geraldo and Jadilson.