Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat: Abdullah Hamad prepares his list to run for presidency of the Saudi Football Federation

Informed sources have revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Abdullah bin Faisal Hamad, CEO of Mahd Sports Academy and current member of the Saudi Football Federation's Board of Directors (since May 2022), has begun preparing his file and electoral list in advance of running in the elections for the presidency of the Saudi Football Federation, pending the green light to officially announce his candidacy when nominations open.

Asharq Al-Awsat had earlier reported on Tuesday that Badr Al-Ruzaiza is also considering running for the presidency of the Saudi Football Federation, signaling an impending competition for the leadership of the federation in the coming period, as the sports community awaits the announcement of the names that will officially enter the race after nominations open.

According to the sources, Hamad is currently working to finalize a list that includes a number of individuals with sports, administrative, and investment expertise, in preparation for entering the electoral race expected to begin after the electoral timeline is approved.

The sources added that the name of Waleed Muadh, CEO of Al-Ula Club, stands out as one of the candidates to join Hamad's list, as his name is being considered for the position of Secretary-General of the Saudi Football Federation should the list be formed. Muadh is considered one of the administrative talents in the Saudi sports scene, having worked for years at Al-Ahli Club and held several executive and administrative positions throughout his career.

The sources confirmed that Abdullah Hamad's name has been put forward as one of the most prominent potential candidates for the presidency of the Saudi Football Federation since February 2024, following the Saudi national team's exit from the 2023 Asian Cup, before his name resurfaced strongly in recent weeks as the early elections approach.

The sources continued: "Hamad's name is not new to the candidacy scene, as it has been circulating in sports circles for over two years."

Hamad currently holds the position of CEO and Secretary-General of the Board of Directors of Mahd Sports Academy, and is also a member of the Saudi Football Federation's Board of Directors since May 2022, having been part of the federation's operational system over the past four years.

Hamad possesses diverse field and administrative expertise, holding a bachelor's degree in training management from Céram Supérieur University in France and a sports master's degree from the Johan Cruyff Institute for Sports Studies in the Netherlands, in addition to obtaining all European coaching licenses and a technical development diploma from the German Football Association.

Hamad has also worked as part of the talent scouting team at Ajax Amsterdam Academy, as an assistant coach for youth teams at I.G.F. in Denmark, as head coach of the youth team at Fortuna Düsseldorf in Germany, and supervised the talent center at Aspire Academy in Qatar before moving into executive work in Saudi sports.

This comes as the Saudi Football Federation elections enter a critical phase, with an extraordinary general assembly meeting on Wednesday to vote on proposed amendments to the statutes and electoral regulations, paving the way for the start of official procedures to elect a new Board of Directors.

Current Federation President Yasser Al-Mashal is expected to announce during the general assembly proceedings that the election date will be brought forward, while he will continue to manage the federation's affairs until handing over to the elected board, which is expected to take place by early September at the latest.