Qatar gives US$6m to Israeli club

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Israeli Parliament member Ahmad Tibi and Mayor of the Arab town of Sakhnin Mohamed Bashir met in Doha with Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrehman al Thani, Secretary General of the Qatar National Olympic Committee. During the meeting, al Thani agreed to an initial donation of US$ 6m to finance the building of the Sakhnin football stadium.

It was agreed upon that an additional US$ 6m would be donated at a second stage. Another meeting is expected to be held in the near future to decide on additional donations. Tibi also asked the secretary general to check the possibility of a direct donation from the Qatar National Olympic Committee to FC Bnei Sakhnin.

Tibi struck up contact with Qatari officials a few months ago and was approached by Qatar's prince Sheikh Hamad several weeks ago. A delegation from Qatar then came to Sakhnin and met with the town's engineer and mayor and with the club's Chairman Mazen Gnaim.

In addition to the donation for stadium, both parties are working on a project to build an advanced sports village, which will include swimming pools and sports facilities. It is expected to be of the highest standard in the Middle East.