On the afternoon of 10/5/1378 AH, Al‑Saigh Stadium in Riyadh witnessed a historic event: a single match featuring four clubs playing together. The occasion was the visit of the late Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Abdullah Al‑Salem Al‑Sabah, to Riyadh. At that time, it was customary to organize a friendly match whenever an important guest visited the capital, attended by King Saud—may God have mercy on him—and his guest.
The pioneer of organized sports in the Central Region and founder of Al‑Hilal Club, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Saeed (80 years old, may God grant him health), recounts this occasion:
“We were informed of the visit of the distinguished Kuwaiti guest and were asked to arrange a friendly match in his honor, to be attended by the beloved King. We—the presidents of the four major clubs in Riyadh—met: the late Mohammed Abdullah Al‑Saigh, president of Al‑Ahli; the late Abdullah bin Ahmed, president of Al‑Shabab; and the late Maatouq Koshak, deputy to Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, president of Al‑Kawkab.
We agreed that the teams would be a combined squad of Al‑Olympi (now Al‑Hilal) and Al‑Shabab against a combined squad of Al‑Ahli and Al‑Kawkab.
“I was keen for Al‑Olympi to play alongside Al‑Shabab rather than against them, to avoid any sensitivities that might affect the match, especially since my team was newly established and some of its players had previously played for Al‑Shabab before joining me after the split.
“The match ended with a 1–0 victory for the Al‑Olympi/Al‑Shabab team, with the goal scored by Al‑Olympi player Mohammed Kamel, known as Al‑Kosh. This goal became the reason for changing our club’s name from Al‑Olympi to Al‑Hilal, by a gracious royal decree.”
After the stadium announcer declared:
“The first goal was scored by Al‑Olympi player Mohammed Kamel (Al‑Kosh),”
King Saud summoned Abu Abdullah Al‑Saigh and expressed his displeasure with the name Al‑Olympi. He asked about the club’s president, and I was called to attend. The next day, accompanied by the late Mohammed Al‑Dughayther, I went to the royal palace in Al‑Nasiriyyah and had the honor of meeting the King.
I still remember his kind, fatherly words—may God have mercy on him:
“The teachings of our religion and our Arab values reject foreign names. The name Al‑Olympi must be changed. Present three proposed names for me to choose from.”
After consulting with several supporters of the club, we settled on three names, in order:
- Al‑Yamamah
- Al‑Wahda
- Al‑Hilal
I prepared a letter to His Majesty with these suggestions and handed it to Mr. Mohammed Al‑Dughayther. We waited several days for the reply, as King Saud had traveled outside Riyadh. The response arrived by telegram on 1/5/1378 AH, stating:
“To Mr. Abdulrahman bin Saeed…
Approve the third name for your club.
Signed: Saud.”
Thus, Al‑Hilal became the only Saudi club to be named by a direct royal decree from King Saud himself—may God have mercy on him.
As for the fate of the golden commemorative cup won by the Al‑Olympi/Al‑Shabab team in that historic match: Al‑Olympi (Al‑Hilal) kept it for six months, after which it was transferred to Al‑Shabab Club, which retained it permanently. The players of the match also received gold watches containing a portrait of the King as a souvenir of the occasion.