For 11-year-old Osamah Al-Humaidi and 8-year-old Maria Al-Nazeri, a simple wish to see their favorite team, Rising Peaks, turned into an unforgettable day of live football action. The two young Saudi fans, who had previously connected with Rising Peaks Team President Abdulrahman Al-Shehri during a hospital visit, were granted a special opportunity to attend the Kings League MENA Split 1 matches at Riyadh’s Cool Arena. Their reaction to the win was a scene that stayed with Abdulrahman too.
When the Sanad Children’s Cancer Support Association contacted the team regarding the children’s desire to reunite with Al-Shehri, the team president immediately recognized a chance to create a unique experience. “I thought, why not fulfil both wishes at once, meeting them and having them cheer for us live at the arena?” Al-Shehri explained. There is still nothing like the experience of a live match and meeting your heroes in person, for a generation that follows football as closely through a screen as they do from the stands. In MENA, teams led by prominent personalities and content creators bring this format to the pitch, connecting the live matchday experience with the digital communities that follow them.
The event offered more than just a view from the stands. Osamah and Maria were integrated into the production, joining the official livestream and even participating in the match broadcast. The pair was given the honor of throwing the game’s Dice Roll, a defining element of the seven-a-side competition created by Gerard Piqué, which determines how many players remain on the pitch for the second half. Attending a Kings League Mena match means stepping into a world that fans across the region already know through livestreams. The competition – originally created by FC Barcelona and Spain legend Gerard Piqué – combines seven-a-side football with innovative rules and interactive elements, bringing sport and digital entertainment together.
For the young fans, the experience was transformative. “Honestly, the atmosphere was legendary!” Osamah remarked. Maria expressed equal excitement, noting, “This is the happiest day of my life! I want to thank the Sanad Association because they always bring joy to our hearts.” Reflecting on her favorite moments, she cited the thrill of participating in the livestream and celebrating the team’s eventual victory.
The victory was particularly special as Osamah had predicted the win before kickoff. Following the final whistle, the children joined the players on the pitch for celebrations. Al-Shehri noted that seeing their joy was a profound experience, stating, “I hope they never forget that they won today. That moment in itself is extraordinary. The feeling of victory is truly powerful. Seeing them celebrate the game and witnessing their absolute joy on the pitch is a memory that I will treasure as much as they will.”
Wael Al-Fayez, Managing Director of Kings League MENA, emphasized that such interactions are central to the league’s mission. “One of the things that truly sets Kings League apart is the unique connection between our Team Presidents and their fans. Seeing the joy that Osamah and Maria experienced alongside Abdulrahman and Rising Peaks is a wonderful reminder of the positive impact sport can have on people’s lives,” Al-Fayez said. That connection is what made the day stand out.
He added that these moments reinforce the bond between the clubs and their supporters, proving that the relationship extends far beyond the duration of the match. For the team, the presence of these young supporters served as a vital motivator. “The energy from the crowd today motivates the players on the pitch even more than it motivates me,” Al-Shehri concluded. “Having our supporters with us, whether behind the screens or live in the stands, makes a world of difference.”
