La Presse — A New Decision by the Saudi Arabian Handball Federation

A Strategic Decision with Two Levels

Recently, the Saudi Arabian Handball Federation made a decision to limit the number of foreign professional players per team to one, and to ban them from participating in the second division. This decision is a strategic move with two levels.

On one hand, it will promote the use of local players who are currently relegated to the second tier. The use of foreign players was blocking the emergence of local talent and preventing them from progressing.

A Welcome Decision for Tunisian Handball

However, this decision is welcome news for us. It will allow for the possible return of many Tunisian elite players who are currently pillars of Saudi Arabian clubs.

It's essential to remember that our best players have chosen to play for European clubs to improve their skills. However, by moving to Gulf countries for financial reasons, they have not progressed and have maintained a fragile form. They would have been better off staying in Tunisia, where they would have significantly strengthened the national competitions.

Three Possible Destinations

The future of these players who will be released will likely be limited to three main destinations, depending on their financial and technical ambitions:

1. Return to Tunisian Teams in the First Division: This is the most probable option for players seeking stability or those who have received offers from top local clubs (Espérance, Club Africain, Etoile Sportive du Sahel, El Makarem de Mahdia, and others). A return to the Tunisian first division would give players greater availability with the national team.
2. Joining Other Gulf Clubs: Players may also join other clubs in the Qatar, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates championships, which will likely follow the Saudi Arabian model for the same reasons.
3. Moving to Europe: Players may also choose to move to Europe, particularly to France, where the language is an important factor. This could lead to an exodus to Doha, Kuwait, or even France.

Can Tunisian Handball Meet the Exigencies of Foreign Players?

The question remains whether Tunisian handball can meet the demands of players accustomed to high salaries. While Espérance and Club Africain have invested in recent years to become top contenders, other clubs may struggle to do so.

In any case, this new decision will undoubtedly shake up many projects, and we hope it will ultimately benefit Tunisian handball, which has been hindered for many years by these choices that have drained it of its substance.