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Soccer News of Wednesday, 7 January 2004

Source: SoccerExpress

Faisal lose $60,000

The back-to-base coach of King Faisal Hans Dieter-Schmidt has disclosed that the inability of the club to pitch camp in Germany for pre-season training, as planned earlier means that a whopping amount of sixty thousand U.S dollars has slipped through their fingers.

Mr. Dieter-Schmidt who was speaking to Soccer Express on his arrival from Germany stated that everything was sealed for King Faisal to engage in a number of friendlies in Germany, which would have fetched the club a good amount of money.

To a question as to why King Faisal is foregoing that amount for the upcoming Coca Cola Top Four which might not be as lucrative as the German deal, the astute coach had this to say:" We have to play in the GHALCA-organized tournament because we are members of the Association and must therefore work for it’s success" and added that apart from the fact that King Faisal would have relished to go on the tour, they had to demonstrate their good will and respect for GHALCA.

But he would as usual express displeasure about how players, especially those in the various national teams are over used in the country with the authorities caring less or little about their health.

He conceded that the players make some money alright, as they play for both club and country but ''what is the need for making money only for today then one is able to play again in your life as a result of fatigue or injury?" he quipped .

He called on the authorities to take a cue from the German FA that allows four weeks break for players during summer and three weeks during the winter.

On his relationship with King Faisal now that Mr. Herbert Mensah who played a key role in his (Schmidt) appointment as the coach of King Faisal, he said" I’m a coach, not a businessman. I have two year contract with the club That’s all''.

He emphasized that he was very much poised to serve his contract and added that he had found great love in King Faisal , especially the young players who he described as extremely talented.

In a related development the supporters union of the club has formed an Interim Executive Committee, headed by Mr. Michael Kumi, who was hitherto, the National advisor to the executives.

This follows the resignation of Nana Yaw Berfi who has since formed the Herbert Mensah Soccer Fan club.