Abdul-Ilah Al-Najimi to Nabd Tuwaiq: We documented more than 50,000 matches, and the project has become an international reference
As part of our exclusive coverage on Nabd Tuwaiq of the Saudi Football History Documentation Project conference, our team met with Abdulilah Al-Najimi, a member of the project's executive team, who revealed in a special interview unprecedented details about the process of documenting one of the region's most significant sporting journeys, spanning more than a century.
In a special statement, Al-Najimi confirmed that the project relied on a precise scientific methodology, beginning with the collection of data from official archives and reliable historical sources, followed by a rigorous review and verification process, and then a comprehensive analysis of the data with the goal of producing a report that presents a comprehensive picture of the history of football in the Kingdom, from its beginnings to the present day.
More than 50,000 documented matches
Al-Najimi noted that the team has documented more than 50,000 matches across all competitions and categories, including local and international, official and friendly matches, in which Saudi clubs and national teams have participated since the game's inception in the Kingdom.
He explained that the project was not simply about collecting information, but rather relied on analyzing and linking data to form an accurate and reliable narrative that represents the development of Saudi football at all its stages.
An accredited reference for FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation
In an achievement credited to the team and supporting institutions, Al-Najimi noted that the project's final report has become an official and approved reference for both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, reflecting confidence in the scientific level and accuracy that characterize the project.
and Al-Najimi said:
“What has been achieved today is a national sporting legacy documented with unprecedented precision, whose impact will extend to future generations, ensuring that they will learn about the history of Saudi football through reliable sources that will be preserved forever.”
A legacy for future generations
In response to a question from Nabd Tuwaiq about the project's importance to new generations, Al-Najimi emphasized that the importance lies in creating a reliable mathematical reference that contributes to building a fact-based mathematical awareness, providing researchers, media professionals, and interested parties with a reliable source that reduces the burden of research and provides a solid foundation for any future study.
Institutional support and strenuous efforts
Al-Najimi concluded his remarks by emphasizing that what has been achieved would not have seen the light of day without the organized collective work and institutional support of the relevant authorities, which have facilitated access to the archives and supported technical and organizational efforts to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of documentation.
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