The selection of Egyptian Muhammad Al-Qardani to coach the Saudi Arabian first national football team was a testament to the success of the pundits who chose him to coach Al-Ittihad at the end of the season as he succeeded in restoring the radiance of the dream basket and the Saudi Arabian Basketball Federation announced on last week on the appointment of Al-Kardani as Green Basketball Coach for a period of three months, during which he will lead the national team to the Asian World Cup Qualifiers in July and August, as well as the Asian Cup Final scheduled in Jakarta, Indonesia.
And the Basketball Association indicated that Al-Qardani was chosen for the task because of his success in the Saudi League and his knowledge of the capabilities of Saudi players, especially since the preparation phase is short and does not involve the presence of a coach who does not know the capabilities of current players closely.
Al-Madina met with the new CTO of Green Basket to open all the files with him in this dialogue.
* Since you managed the Al Ittihad team and you were able to make a qualitative leap for the team after many years of decline.. First, how did you get the contract?
– I am a professional coach, always looking for challenges, but when I got a call from Al Ittihad General Manager and curator of various games, Mr. Khalid bin Yameen, who told me about Al Ittihad basketball conditions. -Ittihad Club, and I initially knew exactly the value of the Al Ittihad Basketball team, which has a large credit of the Championships at the level of Asia, Arabs, the Persian Gulf, and also within the Kingdom, so I decided to go through new experiences and new ambitions. Thank God, I have achieved complete success. With Al Ittihad, I won three medals in the third league, and we participated in the Golden Square championship and the Elite championship, which we were close to, and we managed to score in the last second of our last game, that would be a different story.
* Why didn’t you agree to a contract extension with Al Ittihad despite attempts to keep you in the team next season?
– Of course, the officials of the Union treated me ideally, and the financial affairs between us were good, and we did not meet any problems in this aspect, and serious attempts were made with me to continue, but my family circumstances that I should be in Egypt in next year, prevented me from renewing my contract with the Union Club and continuing with the team next season, although I hope to be in my second country, Saudi Arabia.
* A few days ago, the Basketball Association announced the signing of a contract with you as the curator of the first team… How do you rate this step?
– Coaching the first Saudi Arabian national basketball team is a great honor for me and as a coach to lead such an ancient team as the Saudi Arabian national team, but my contract to coach the Saudi Arabian national team will be temporary, subject to temporary restrictions. as the Saudi Arabia national team has close advantages and given my full knowledge of all Saudi Arabian players since my tenure with Al Ittihad team last season, in addition to the good results achieved by Al Ittihad team last season, it was an agreement between me and the officials of the Saudi Basketball Association to take over the leadership of Al Akhdar in the upcoming benefits.
* How far do we understand that the presentation of the Saudi Arabia national team was the reason for your departure from Al-Ittihad?
– This is not true, I respect the Al-Ittihad club and its officials who dealt with me professionally, but, as I already mentioned, my family circumstances require me to be in Egypt next year and not stay on the street for a long time , and my training for the Saudi Arabia national team will be a temporary period spanning only about three months. But if there is continuity with the national team of Saudi Arabia, it pleases me, and as everyone knows, the supervision of the team is completely different from the supervision of the teams. , because the participation of the team happens at certain intervals, unlike team training, where they strive for full presence through daily exercises and constant practice, but I would like to confirm that if I had the opportunity to work in the Saudi Arabian league, this will be with the Al-Ittihad club.
* Last word, Captain Mohamed, to the basketball fans at the Al Ittihad Club?
– I wish success to Al Ittihad Club, management, players and fans and I am sorry to leave this great sports facility in the Kingdom and I hope to return after my circumstances are over. “Al-Ittihad” made their efforts this season. with this name, because it is more worthy, and there are many followers of the very popular Al-Ittihad in Egypt. Thanks to all of you and Al-Madina newspaper for this interesting dialogue.