THANKS, HAZZA BIN ZAYED.. HAMMAD: EL SHAHAT’S DEAL IS THE EASIEST AND HARDEST ONE CONCLUDED BY AL AIN
H.E. Mohammed Obaid Hammad, Board Member of Al Ain Club Football Company and Supervisor of First and Reserved Teams, expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council, First Vice President of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, First Vice President of the Honorary Council & Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, for his directives to complete El Shahat deal, stressing that the player signed his new contract with the club hours before leaving UAE heading to Switzerland to join the camp of his country’s team scheduled there.
Commenting on a question on whether there are other clubs tried to join the player according to media reports, he said: “Yes, several clubs have actually entered into negotiations with Misr El Makasa Club to buy the player’s card in order to support its lines, including local clubs and we know them by name, in addition to other Gulf and Egyptian clubs who were proactive in negotiating to win the player’s services.”
Hammad said that the deal was the most difficult and easiest one concluded by the club. “It was the easiest deal as we were the first to bring the player and the great and stunning relationships with the El Makasa Club. Add to that the existence of positive indicators that strengthened the desire of Al Ain to retain El Shahat. This includes the player’s rapid adaptation with the team and technical staff, his apparent desire to continue playing with the club and the sense of comfort that appeared at every moment he spent with the team. All of these factors contributed to conclude the deal successfully, especially that the player listened carefully to the advice provided by those closest to him during the loan period,” said he.
He went on to say: “The difficulty we faced while negotiating with El Makasa Club was the “distortion” attempts during the whole processes and attempts to influence the player’s focus at a very important stage during the season following his peak brilliance with the “Boss”. However, we have dealt with the situation calmly and wisely, especially through the brilliant cooperation with El Makasa management and the player’s agent.”
“The player was on Al Ain’s radar among other five players during the winter transfer window. The Technical Professional Committee forwarded the names to the head coach and we finally agreed to pick El Shahat following the head coach’s approval prior the closure of the transfer window by few days,” said he in response to a question on not including the term of Al Ain’s Club right to sell the player in the loan contract. He also stated: “Indeed, the player was about to move to an Egyptian club as he expressed his desire to be transferred to that club. This led the player and his agent to insist not to add such a term in the contract as this will give the player the chance to experience his professional period with Al Ain. Following that, options will be open for him, especially as there is an Egyptian club waiting to end his loan period to join him to their lines and all arrangements are settled following the end of his loan contract with Al Ain.”
On the issue if there are any advantages gained by certain clubs to link Al Ain with other deals and the validity of news on the Club’s negotiations with Omar Khreibin, he commented: “It is certain that the season is about to finish and usually this period coincides with clubs’ attempts to find new players to boost the strength of their lines with the beginning of the new season. Certain clubs try to market their players with the aim to replace them with new bloods. This makes this period full of speculations and rumors which have become part of the football game, but Al Ain is committed to a clear mechanism of action and based on the needs of the team which is consistent with the report of the coach and in accordance with the Technical Professional Committee who select the names and then reporting that to the Board of Directors. We have not to forget also the financial aspects alongside the technical issues.” He concluded his statement by saying: “Al Ain has already started preparations for the new football season and there are some names on the table; however, it is still in its early stages.”
