At first glance, the overall picture in the Saudi Professional League might seem alarming to some, especially when it comes to Al-Hilal. With every step the club takes, whether it's climbing the standings, securing new signings, or clinching victories, a feeling takes root among its rivals that the path is clearer for them than for anyone else. This leads to a buildup of controversial questions: Has Al-Hilal become bigger than the league itself? Has the balance of competitive fairness been disrupted? Has the competition become merely a facade devoid of real substance? These are legitimate questions on the surface, provocative in their timing, and they are raised forcefully whenever Al-Hilal dons its usual mantle of leadership.

General context and development of the sports project

This controversy comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is undergoing a historic transformation in its sports sector, as part of Vision 2030, with the Saudi League becoming a global destination attracting top football stars. This dramatic shift has raised expectations and intensified competition, placing any club's dominance under intense scrutiny. Amidst this dynamism, the potential transfer of global star Karim Benzema to Al-Hilal has reignited questions, with some viewing this high-profile deal as evidence of favoritism or double standards.

The reality of the situation and the reactions

The matter didn't stop at mere fan or media analysis; it extended to public discontent from other league stars, most notably the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, as if Al-Hilal had committed a sin by boldly strengthening its squad. In this charged atmosphere, Al-Hilal became the accused not for breaking the rules, but for mastering the art of playing within them. It was accused for possessing the administrative and financial capabilities, and for quietly succeeding while others merely shout. Herein lies a strange paradox: it seems the league needs to rein in Al-Hilal instead of working to develop its rivals to catch up.

Self-financing and refuting the accusations

However, upon pausing to analyze the facts, the narrative against Al-Hilal crumbles. When the league confirmed that the Benzema deal was financed from Al-Hilal's own resources, not from the central recruitment program, the first and most important pillar of the accusation collapsed. And when it became clear that Al-Hilal did not demand special treatment, did not resort to fan pressure tactics, and did not invoke the usual victimhood narrative, the truth emerged simpler than portrayed: we are dealing with a club that planned meticulously, invested wisely, and made a courageous decision.

Administrative stability is the secret to success

The real challenge lies not in Al-Hilal's on-field dominance, but in the fundamental question many overlook: Why does Al-Hilal succeed where others fail? Why do its signings become a harmonious system, while for others they become a technical and financial burden? The answer lies in the fact that Al-Hilal doesn't need a single star to "lead the project," because the project at Al-Hilal is driven by stable institutional work. Al-Hilal doesn't appear superior to the competition because it's pampered, as some claim, but because it's administratively and technically disciplined. It's not because it's above the system, but because it operates within it intelligently and professionally.

In the end, this argument, which may seem provocative to some, is not intended to defend Al-Hilal as much as it is intended to be a mirror reflecting a reality that some do not want to see; which is that Al-Hilal did not shorten the road to glory, but rather memorized its contours well, and that the problem was never with a club that was accustomed to winning, but rather with competitors who are still looking for a scapegoat for mistakes instead of fixing themselves.

In a remarkable sporting achievement reflecting the development of squash in Saudi Arabia, Saudi star Mohammed Al-Nisfan secured his place in the semi-finals of the PSA 3K tournament . The prestigious tournament is being hosted by Riyadh from February 12th to 14th at the Falcon Squash Club, attracting significant public and media attention.

The tournament featured 16 professional players representing five countries with a long history in the sport: Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Canada, and the host country, Saudi Arabia. This diverse participation ensured a highly competitive tournament, especially with the presence of players from the Egyptian school, which is considered the world's leading squash team.

The qualifying journey and the fiery encounters

Saudi champion Mohammed Al-Nisfan began his tournament journey with determination and resolve, starting his participation in the round of 16 with a well-deserved and clean victory over his Egyptian opponent, Moamen Helmy, by a score of 3 sets to 0. This victory gave Al-Nisfan a significant morale boost to continue his progress.

In the quarter-finals, Al-Nisfan faced a truly epic match against Egyptian player Abdelrahman Mustafa. The game was fiercely contested and thrilling, lasting nearly an hour and a half with continuous play and high-level tactics, before the Saudi star managed to secure a 3-1 victory, confirming his place in the semi-finals.

The anticipated semi-final matches

All eyes will be on the Falcon Club grounds tomorrow, Friday, as the tournament continues with crucial semi-final matches. Mohammed Al-Nisfan will face a tough challenge from his Gulf counterpart, Saif Haikal of Kuwait, in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. In the other semi-final, Egyptian Karim Badawi will clash with Kuwaiti Bader Al-Maghribi to determine the two finalists.

The importance of the tournament and the future of Saudi squash

This tournament holds special significance as it is part of the Professional Footballers Association (PSA) series and is being hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time, reflecting international confidence in the Kingdom's organizational capabilities. This hosting comes within the context of the significant sporting development underway in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030, which aims to promote sports participation and host world-class events.

The fact that a Saudi player has reached the final stages of a tournament featuring international professionals is a positive indicator of the rising technical level of Saudi players, resulting from exposure to different styles of play, particularly the Egyptian and Kuwaiti schools. The first day's matches witnessed a fantastic turnout of spectators who enjoyed the high level of skill, promising a bright future for the sport in the Kingdom.

On Friday evening, February 13, 2026, sports fans across Saudi Arabia will turn their attention to the Eastern Province, specifically the Ministry of Sports Hall in Dammam, to witness the most exciting chapter in the Saudi Premier Handball League for Seniors. The fourteenth round concludes with a highly anticipated match between league leaders Al-Khaleej and their closest rivals, Al-Ahli, in a clash that could very well determine the season's champion.

Historical and competitive dimensions of the summit

The importance of this match extends beyond mere points; it encompasses the historical and popular significance of handball in the Kingdom. Clubs from the Eastern Province, most notably Al-Khaleej (Al-Dana), are considered the heartland of the sport, while Al-Ahli (Al-Raqi) represents the major force emerging from the Western Province to challenge the Eastern Province giants for gold. This historic rivalry has directly contributed to raising the technical level of the Saudi national team, as both teams boast some of the national team's most prominent players, making the match a showcase of the best national talents and foreign professionals in the league.

Complex top-stakes calculations

Both teams enter the match with meticulous calculations that leave no room for error, amidst a fierce battle for the top spot in the standings:

• Al-Khaleej (the leader): Reigning supreme with a perfect record of 24 points, accumulated from 12 consecutive victories without a single loss or draw. The team boasts a formidable attack, having scored 379 goals, and a rock-solid defense, conceding only 265, reflecting the high level of technical and physical readiness of the Al-Dana squad.
• Al-Ahli (runners-up): They sit second with 20 points, having won 10 matches and lost 2. The Royal Club knows this match is their last chance to close the gap and revive their title hopes.

Resolution and compensation scenarios

The match holds two main scenarios that will determine the course of the tournament:

The first scenario: Al-Khaleej wins, which would widen the gap to a full 6 points. With only a few rounds remaining, this lead would be considered an unofficial declaration that the shield is close to being won by Saihat, benefiting from home advantage and the expected large crowd.

The second scenario: an Al Ahly victory, the only option available to the Cairo giants to reduce the gap to just two points. This would reignite the league title race and put the league leaders under immense psychological pressure in the remaining rounds. Al Ahly is counting on its players' experience in handling big matches and their desire to break their rivals' unbeaten streak.

The impact of the result on the sports scene

This match holds significance that extends beyond the court; the expected high level of play reflects the development of Saudi handball, which now enjoys widespread regional and continental attention. Furthermore, the anticipated large crowd will reaffirm the sport's immense popularity, particularly in the Eastern Province, thus boosting sporting activity and supporting plans to develop various sports.

Other confrontations that are no less important

Aside from the top-of-the-table clash, the fourteenth round features crucial matches for the middle and bottom teams, all taking place on the same day:

• Al-Huda vs. Al-Noor (4:00 PM - Dammam): A special derby and a fiery confrontation between the third and fourth teams, in which each side seeks to establish its foothold in the golden square.
• Al-Safa vs. Al-Zulfi (4:00 PM - Qatif): A match to escape the danger zone and improve positions.
• Al Wahda vs Al Adala (4:00 PM - Mecca): An attempt to correct the course and restore balance.
• Mudar vs Al-Muheet (7:00 PM - Qatif): Mudar (Al-Amlah) seeks to continue chasing the leading teams, while Al-Muheet is looking for a lifeline to improve its results.

In conclusion, round 14 is a pivotal turning point in the Saudi Premier Handball League, as its final result will reveal whether the title has been clinically decided in favor of Al-Khaleej, or whether Al-Ahli has another say that will reshuffle the cards.