KUWAIT CITY, March 10: Badr Al-Mutawa, the captain of the Al-Qadisiya team and former Azraq star, secured the Best Player Award during the eighteenth round of the Zain Premier League. This recognition reflects his outstanding performance in the current season, a remarkable feat considering he is now 39 years old. Al-Mutawa has become a pivotal figure in local football, notably achieving goal No. 163 in the league competition by scoring against Al-Shabab in the eighteenth round. This historic goal surpasses the record set by former Syrian scorer and current Al-Fahaheel coach, Firas Al-Khatib.

Al-Mutawa attributes his achievement to the Al-Qadisiya players' collective effort, the coaching staff's guidance, and the Yellow fans' unwavering support in various circumstances. Despite approaching his fortieth birthday in January, Al-Mutawa continues to prove his goal-scoring prowess, displaying remarkable performance levels and the ability to play for over 70 minutes. This suggests that he remains a formidable force for years to come, posing a challenge for the top scorer title.

In acknowledgment of Al-Mutawa's excellence, Al-Shabab players conducted a ceremonial pass of honor before facing two teams, expressing appreciation for his milestone goal. His teammates at the "Yellow Castle" also celebrated him before the start of training.

Looking ahead, Al-Qadisiya coach, Dr. Muhammad Al-Mishaan, emphasized the importance of continued training to prepare the team effectively for the upcoming match against Al-Salmiya in the first round of the championship group competitions, known as the "League of Six." Other notable matchups in this round include leaders Kuwait Club facing Al-Fahaheel, and Al-Arabi meeting Al-Nasr.

Following this round, the league is set to pause as the national team gears up to face Qatar on March 21 and 26 in the third and fourth rounds of the first group competitions for the joint Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup.

Hassan Musa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff