Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) has announced the inclusion of the under-17 Saudi national team as an additional team in the Saudi Premier League, starting from the 2024-2025 season.

This team will be overseen by the technical and administrative staff of the youth national team.

This decision, the result of a collaborative effort among clubs, national team management, and various competitions and technical departments, reflects the unity and shared vision of all stakeholders involved.

To foster camaraderie and take advantage of the age difference between players born in 2007 and 2008, players will be temporarily transferred from their clubs.

The younger players will integrate with an older age group, ensuring that the results of their matches do not impact the points balance of the other participating teams.

This initiative is part of a broader development plan for national team players across different age groups. It aims to enhance their technical, physical, fitness, and tactical skills to achieve the best possible results in a short period.

Nasser Larguet, the technical director of SAFF, emphasized that this step is crucial for preparing the national team for upcoming regional and international competitions and for developing a competitive generation for the future.