Bahraini Handball Player Stranded in Kuwait Over Housing Dispute

TDT | Manama

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A Bahraini handball player, Ahmed Al Maqaabi, has been stranded in Kuwait after being prevented from leaving the country due to a legal dispute with a housing rental company. Al Maqaabi, who played for a Kuwaiti club between 2021 and 2022, was informed by Kuwaiti border officials that he was barred from exiting the country due to a court order stemming from a case filed against him by the rental company. The company claims Al Maqaabi owes over 20,000 Kuwaiti dinars in unpaid rent.

Al Maqaabi, as per our sister newspaper Alayam, that the issue arose when the club provided him with unsuitable accommodation. He sought alternative housing, with the club agreeing to cover the costs. However, Al Maqaabi signed the housing agreement in his own name, which he now considers a mistake. This led to the current situation when the club failed to pay the rent. He claims that the same legal case has also been filed against another Bahraini player, Mohammed Habib.

Al Maqaabii stated that he contacted the club management upon learning about the case but received no response. He initially rented his own accommodation for the first four days after the issue arose, before club associates provided him with temporary housing until the matter is resolved.

Al Maqaabi's brother, Nidal, expressed his concern and that of the entire family about the situation. He appealed to relevant authorities in Bahrain to intervene and resolve the issue with Kuwait. Nidal criticised the club's handling of the matter, stating that the initial agreement with the club was for them to provide suitable accommodation and cover the rent, which they failed to do throughout Al Msqaabi's time with the club.