A Middle East Champions League: A win for football and the region

By Saoud Moussa Baccus

Man standing in the middle of the desert in Dubai, UAE.
(Credit: Pat Whelen, Australia. Downloaded from  Pexels on 10 June 2023).

 

The Saudi Pro League (SPL) must innovate if it wants to attract younger
players still in their prime. It must create an environment where young
talented players stop seeing the league as a place to retire in the golden
sunset.

The cream of the crop playing in the SPL are all over 35. Ronaldo is 38,
Benzema 35. The following players are rumored to be playing for the SPL
next season: Modric, 37, Kante, 32, Aubemeyang, 33, Mahrez, 32, Son and
Zaha are 30 years old. All of them have passed their prime or about to.
Would they have come to Saudi Arabia if they were in their prime today? If
the answer is no, how do you make it a yes? This is where creativity comes
in.

The SPL must take the bull by the horn and create a champions league in the Middle East.

The SPL must be bold, pioneering and outrageously innovative in making
the league an attractive place. The SPL must take the bull by the horn and
create a champions league in the Middle East. There are two established
powerhouses in the area: Egypt and Türkiye. Both of them have very good
teams. Notwithstanding their commitment in UEFA and CAF Champions League, a
tournament involving the best teams from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Türkiye, and other
neighbouring countries, would elevate the level of football across the region. With a
sizeable prize money on offer, I do not foresee any league turning down the
opportunity to participate.

The Saudi Pro League must rival European leagues in money,
organization, quality and, above all, attractiveness. It should aim for the top
of the highest mountain and pull out all the stops to get there. Until such a
time, it will only attract players past their prime.

The advantages of a champions league among Middle Eastern countries
are multiple. It does away with a moribund league especially if there is a
run-away champion, for teams must fight until the last game to ensure a
top-five finish to qualify for a spot. That alone is something to play for.

Playing with the best teams of Egypt and Türkiye means you have to up your
game for a chance to win. Not to be discounted is the feeling of belonging to a league of your own, crafted, developed and honed with your own hands. It is that
sense of accomplishment that makes people achieve bigger and better things.