JEDDAH, 15 December 2007 — After five years, Al-Ittihad water polo team finally chased down the Saudi League Cup title beating rivals Al-Ahli 7-6 in the final Thursday night at the Youth Welfare Green Indoor Hall in Al-Ratta Eastern Province.

It was the third championship crown for Ittihad having won the youth water polo league and the 5th Asian Water Polo Championship in Kuwait.

Both events took place in April. Ali Oun, secretary–general of the Saudi Arabian Swimming Federation, awarded members of the champion team Ittihad with the gold medals, first runners-up Ahli with the silver medals, and second runners-up Al-Qadisiya with the bronze medals.

Ahli players Ayman Al-Oryani and Abdulraheem Al-Malki roughhoused their opponents, marring the final match and giving referees Saad Al-Irwan and Abdulrahman Al-Qahtani along with Mitib Al-Malki of Ittihad a tough time. Ittihad team manager Majid Al-Malki said he would lodge an official complaint with the SASF technical committee.

He said Ahli won the league several times previously and Ittihad players were never guilty of unsportsmanlike behavior.

This complaint he said would ensure such act is not repeated and that each erring player penalized because this was not the first time Ittihad players were roughed up and hospitalized.

Meanwhile, the technical committee assured a meeting would be held to discuss the matter.

Oun said the game is yet to enjoy popularity in the country though efforts are being made to promote water polo specially since the national team won the silver medal at the 11th Pan Arab Games in Egypt last month.

“Both Ittihad and Ahli did very well but it is a well-deserved victory for Ittihad whose athletes were very impressive during the tournament and showed an improved performance,” he said.