“I never felt so welcome. American entrepreneur Ben Harburg took full control over the Al-Kholood Club in AR Rass and became the first foreign owner of the Saudi League team. His company, Harburg Group, bought 100 percent of the club and meant a historical moment when Saudi Arabia is pushing forward with a plan to privatize football.Ben Harburg, who also owns part of the Spanish Cadiz FC club, moved to AR Rass in the summer to build his team vision. Arab News that his dream is to be al-KhoHolood in the field and stable as a company. “People are amazing. I never felt so welcomed anywhere in the world,” Harburg said after meeting fans in AR Rass 17. August.
Ben Harburg Shares Plan for Al-Kholood Growth
Ben Harburg said his first goal is to make the club financially safe. “My primary goal is to make al-KhoHolood financially sustainable. In addition, I plan to reinvest any returns back to the club,” said.He explained that the smaller Al-Kholood club gives him room to try new ideas.“We could be experimental and more creative with the process of building a club and its brand on the Saudi market,” Harburg said Arab News.The Harburg Group hired a strong team, including Robert Eeinhorn, former CEO of the Dutch club AZ ALKMAAR to help conduct operations. Harburg said that we are focusing on survival in Pro League, then investing in a new infrastructure and the youth academy.“As soon as we survive this season, we focus on the development of the academy. We have many gaps to fill,” He added.Harburg also explained that he did not plan to compete with Saudi giants financed by PIF, Aramco or Non. “We have to build future stars, not buy them. You always lose that fight,” Explained.
Ben Harburg focuses on Saudi talents and fans
Harburg believes that fans are the core of the club. “They’re our 12. A man, without our fans, we’re nothing,” said. He is working to bring back community football and ensure that supporters have a strong voice in the club.His long-term vision is to make Al-Kholood home for young Saudi players. He wants the club to help produce future national team stars and provide current international chances of playing before the FIFA 2034 World Cup.Also read: UAE to host the Afghan female refugee team in the FIFA Units History International International Tournament “The national team is strong and the Saudi talent just improves,” Harburg said. “Our key performance indicator is how many of our players appear in the list of Saudi national teams.”He added that Saudi football has “An advantage of late movement” When using a new technology to address fans around the world. Harburg, with more attention to the Saudi league, believes that the league could soon become among the first five in the world.
