Dubai Sports Council :: Al Ahli Club

Al Ahli Club

A history of accomplishments

The foundation
Al Ahli club was founded in September 1970; as a result of merging the two clubs of Al Wihda and Al Shabab, then Al Najah Club joined them after 4 years. The Club was directed previously by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, the Ruler of Dubai, (The Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defense then); where the club's had and is still have a special care and full support from His Highness, and his kindness was and generosity was the secret behind the upsurge of the club in its facilities and the championships it has achieved.
Until now Ahli club is honored by the permanent follow up by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He praised the Club in his words when he handled “His Highness the President of the UAE Football Cup” season 2001 / 2002 when he said "Al Ahli has a special place in my heart" which carries an evidence of the Dearness his Highness holds for the Club. due to the attention his Highness gives to Al Ahli Club he decided to appoint his son, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai and the Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, and the Chairman of the Club, and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Chairman of Dubai Free Zone Authority for Technology and Information and Vice-President of the Club. Al Ahli club was one of the first clubs that paid attention to beginners; which beginners’ team has won the General League Championship in the season of 75 / 76 along with the League Championship under 17 years old in 74 / 75.

The Club’s Facilities
The facilities include a huge football stadium fully equipped in international standards named Rashid Stadium
Administrative building containing the offices of the Board, and various committees.
External football schools and other sports, a tennis stadium and a hall of the internal sports.
In 2002 improvements were done to Rashid stadium to become a real masterpiece through the plastic seats has been installed in the stands, rooms has been added, and spaces has been allocated for VIPs and media. The improvements also included the outer courtyard.

Events and achievements

The first club in the UAE that included the individual sports in its agenda.
The first club which assigns a full-time coach, Muhammad Siddiq Shahata. The Club has contributed with its experienced players for national teams in all sports which they have contributed in their achievements at the Arabian, Gulf and continental level.
After 4 years of its foundation the club had won its first titles in the Football League in the season of (74/75); and was the first club to get this honor.
The club was joint to The Shield of The President League Cup in the season of (74/75) and became the first club that combines both the League and the Cup.
In (74/75) The Club won the Ramadan Tournament Cup and Beginners’ League championship shield.
The Club was the first to win the league title for the second time in a row after its victory of the shield in the season of (75/76)
The same thing reiterates in the Cup Competition after its victory in the season of (76 / 77); since the championship season (75 / 76) was not completed even though Al Ahli was a candidate to win by excellence.
The Club won the title of the League in the season of (79 / 80).
The Club won the Champion’s title of the Cup in the season of 77/78, 95/96, 2001/2002 and 2003/2004.
The Club won the League Championship after 26 years in the season of 2005-2006.
The Club has the first team emerging from the local to the regional scale through amicable matches since he played in 1974 with Kuwait National Team and defeated It in 2-1, and the history repeats itself the team has defeated the Kuwaiti team by scoring 2-0, and the Saudi Al Ahli 3-2 in 2002 in the Asian League of Champions