Desperate family calls for action as Bahraini handball player remains trapped in Kuwait over rent dispute

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@newsofbahrain.com

A Bahraini handball player has found himself stranded in Kuwait due to an ongoing dispute over unpaid rent that was supposed to be covered by his club.

Ahmed Al Maqaabi was stopped at the Kuwaiti border when officers informed him that he couldn’t leave the country because of a case filed against him by a housing rental company.

The company alleges that Al Maqaabi owes more than 20,000 Kuwaiti dinars in unpaid rent. Back in Bahrain, his family, including his brother Nidal, is deeply concerned and has called on Bahraini authorities to intervene and help resolve the situation.

Al Maqaabi, who played for a Kuwaiti club between 2021 and 2022, has shared his side of the story, pointing fingers at his club for the predicament he’s now in.

In an interview with Alayam, Al Maqaabi explained that the accommodation provided by the club was not up to standard, so he arranged for an alternative place to stay, believing the club would cover the cost. “At that time, the club had also agreed to cover the costs of the accommodation I booked,” he said.

However, Al Maqaabi admitted, “I made the mistake of booking the accommodation in my name, instead of the club’s.”

This oversight, combined with the club’s failure to pay, has now led to the current standoff. Adding to the complexity, Al Maqaabi revealed that another Bahraini player, Mohammed Habib, is facing a similar issue with the same club.

Despite his efforts to communicate and resolve the matter with the club, Al Maqaabi says he has received no response.

He mentioned that the rented accommodation was only meant to cover the first four days after the issue arose, until the club eventually arranged temporary housing for him.

Nidal Al Maqaabi has criticized the club’s handling of the situation, highlighting that they had initially promised to provide suitable accommodation and cover all related expenses, which they failed to do throughout Ahmed’s tenure.

The family’s plea for help reflects their frustration and urgency in seeking a swift resolution to bring Ahmed back home.