In a widely praised act of kindness, a regrettable incident on a Saudi football pitch has been transformed into an inspiring story of community solidarity and sportsmanship. Businessman Rakan Al-Qassimi, CEO of a national company, announced he would gift a car to the ball boy who was pushed by Al-Kholoud goalkeeper Paulo Vitor during a match in the Saudi Professional League.
Details of the incident and its sporting context
The incident occurred during the match between Al-Kholoud and Al-Najma in the 22nd round of the 2023-2024 Yelo League. Amidst the tension of the match, which was crucial for both teams in the promotion race, Brazilian goalkeeper Paulo Vitor pushed a young ball boy standing near the goal. A video of the incident quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage and anger among sports fans and the general public, who deemed the behavior unsportsmanlike, especially coming from a professional player towards a young volunteer.
A community initiative that transforms a negative situation into a positive one
The incident did not go unnoticed. Businessman Rakan Al-Qasimi quickly announced that the young man would be honored. He wrote on his official X platform account: “The guard’s actions towards the young man were provocative and unacceptable to everyone. This young man deserves to be honored and compensated for what happened.” He added, emphasizing, “A car is a gift from our company to the ball boy.” The initiative didn't stop there. Al-Qasimi called on other companies and business leaders to participate in honoring the young man, aiming to “support him and turn the situation into a positive one.” This reflects the private sector's role in social responsibility and promoting noble values in society.
The importance and expected impact of the event
Locally, this incident highlighted the importance of respecting all participants in the sporting system, including young volunteers like ball boys who play a vital role in the smooth running of matches. The initiative also demonstrated the strong sense of community in Saudi Arabia and the swift response needed to transform negative situations into positive lessons in giving and support. For his part, Al-Khulood goalkeeper Paulo Vitor quickly issued a formal apology via video, expressing his regret for his actions, which helped to calm the situation and close the matter amicably. Regionally and internationally, this story serves as a model for how society can interact with sporting events and underscores that football is not just a competition, but a platform for instilling ethics and human values.
