| Full name | Al Wasl Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Al Fhood (Arabic: الفهود)(The Cheetahs), Embrator (Arabic: الإمبراطور)(The Emperor) |
||
| Founded | 1960 | ||
| Ground | Zabeel Stadium Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Capacity: 18,000) |
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| Chairman | Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum | ||
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| Al Wasl's active sections | ||
|---|---|---|
Football |
Basketball |
Handball |
Volleyball (Men's) |
Volleyball (Women's) |
Table Tennis |
Tennis |
Athletics |
Swimming |
Al Wasl Sports Club (Arabic: نادي الوصل) is a multi-sports club in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. It is best known for its football team.
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Being one of the most popular clubs in the UAE, AlWasl have had several nicknames. The most famous one being (Al-Fohood) (The Cheetahs) (Arabic: الفهود). AlWasl was called the cheetahs for two reasons, the first was the dramatic way it "leaps" from the bottom of the standings table to the top just like the Cheetah does, and the second reason being the number of players with the name (Fahad) in its main squad during the golden age in the 1980s. And in Arabic Al-Fohood is the plural of Fahad.
Another famous nickname for Al Wasl is (Al-Embrator) (The Emperor) (Arabic: الإمبراطور). This name was due to the dominance of the Club on all the different sports it hosts and most of the different age groups. AlWasl has always been known to be a competitive club and its name is always present during crowning ceremonies regardless the sport. Based on the comprehensive calculations of the IFFHS AlWasl has been named the Club of the 20th Century in the UAE.[1]
Due to AlWasl's impressive performance in the Continental Tournaments last century (5 wins and one loss), the IFFHS has decided to name AlWasl as the UAE's Club of the 20th Century.[1] Hence the nickname.
Two of the relatively new nicknames are (Al-Shams)(The Sun) (Arabic: الشمس) which was first used in 2007 when the Foot Ball Team was able to come back from 10 years drought to winning both the UAE League and the UAE President Cup and achieving the double in 2007. And the fans linked the achievement to the Sun which will always rise again even if it sets for a brief time[2].
After a very bas 2008 season, AlWasl's President ordered to dismiss the Board of Directors and announced a new Board[3]. This change was able to shake off the negativeness and stress at the club, and it came back with a number of great signings and a new fresh spirit. AlWasl fans started calling their team (Al-Feneeq)(The Phoenix)(Arabic: الفينيق) just like the legendary bird, the Phoenix, rises from its ashes a new strong bird [4].
| Office | Name |
|---|---|
| President | Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum |
| Vice-president | Shaikh Majed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum |
| Office | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman of the Board | Major General Dr. Mohammad Ahmad bin Fahad |
| Vice Chairman of the Board | Marwan bin Bayat |
| Board Member | Sultan AbdulRahman Al Midfa |
| Board Member | Lt. Colonel Ahmed Mohammed Rafee |
| Board Member | Fahad Khamees |
| Board Member | Swaidan Saeed Juma Al Naboodah |
| Board Member | Mohammad Humaid Al Marri |
| Board Member | Nabil AbdulKarim |
| Board Member | Ali Burohaima |
| Board Member | Mohammad AbdulMajeed Al Mohairi |
| N | Name | From | Until | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shaikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | 1962 | 1974 | 13 |
| 2 | Ahmad Al Shaafar | 1974 | 1981 | 8 |
| 3 | Shaikh Buti bin Maktoum Al Maktoum | 1981 | 1993 | 13 |
| 4 | Shaikh Buti bin Maktoum Al Maktoum (Second Term) | 1993 | 1996 | 4 |
| 5 | Ahmad Al Shaafar (Second Term) | 1996 | 2001 | 6 |
| 6 | Shaikh Mohammad bin Obaid Al Maktoum | 2001 | 2001 | 1 |
| 7 | AlHaj Khamis Salim | 2001 | 2003 | 3 |
| 8 | Abdullah Harib | 2003 | 2003 | 1 |
| 9 | Rashid Belhoul | 2003 | 2009[5][6] | 7 |
| 10 | Major General Dr. Mohammad Ahmad bin Fahad | 2009 | Present |
In October 2009, one of the club's fans designed the team's shirt with the name of the American President Barack Obama, and the number 44, Obama's position among the American Presidents. The fan sent the shirt to the US Department of State. The gift was accepted and an official letter sent back to the fan acknowledging Obama's acceptance of the gift, and praising AlWasl Club's rule and achievements in the region.[7][8][9]