Captain Majid — inspiring Saudi footballers of the future

"Captain Majid" has united fans, creating a shared cultural experience. Recently, the Instagram account “Dar_Kalemat” held a contest on the series' seasons, attracting over 1,690 participants. This response showcases the deep connection Saudi fans have with the show and its lasting legacy. (supplied)
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Updated 22 September 2024
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Captain Majid — inspiring Saudi footballers of the future

RIYADH: Saudi Arabians have a lot of love for Captain Majid, rooted in the animated character’s cultural significance, inspirational narratives and devotion to the game of football.

Developed from the Japanese manga series, “Captain Tsubasa,” he has become a cultural phenomenon that resonates with fans across the Kingdom, inspiring young Saudis to dream big and pursue their footballing dreams.




For sports lawyer Waleed Melhan, "Captain Majid" shaped his career. Watching the series from age three sparked his love for football, especially through his favorite character, Yasīn (Taro Misaki). Melhan credits the show for inspiring his journey into sports law, where he now represents various players and agencies. (supplied)

The original series followed the journey of Tsubasa Ozora (Majid Kamel in the Arabic broadcast), a young boy with an unwavering passion for football. His determination, skill and friendships illustrate the struggles and triumphs faced by aspiring athletes.

For many Saudis, watching Majid’s adventures was not merely a childhood pastime — it was an introduction to the world of football that lay the foundations of their own dreams.

Waleed Melhan, for example, a sports lawyer, is among those who says Captain Majid was pivotal in shaping his career. He started watching the series at the tender age of three, and its influence on his life has been profound.




In 2020, KLab Inc., a leader in online mobile games, announced that its head-to-head football simulation game Captain Tsubasa: Dream Team debuted new players wearing the Saudi Arabia national team official kit. (supplied)

“The series had a huge impact on my love for football,” he told Arab News. “My favorite character was Yasin (Taro Misaki), whose struggles for a chance to play resonated with me. Watching him fueled my passion and set me on a path toward a career in sports law.”

Today, Melhan represents numerous players and agencies, and he credits his success to the inspiration he found in Captain Majid.

His story is not unique. Local referee Faleh Al-Nasser recalls: “I was addicted to the show as a child. I would rush home from school to catch every episode and I memorized all the songs. It sparked my love for football and ultimately led me to become a referee for local matches.”

Al-Nasser believes the influence of Captain Majid should be carried forward to new generations.

The significance of Captain Majid in Saudi culture was highlighted by a public opinion study conducted by Arab News YouGov, which revealed 75% of respondents identified Captain Majid as their favorite anime. This places it way ahead of other popular series such as Pokémon and Gundam.




In 2020, KLab Inc., a leader in online mobile games, announced that its head-to-head football simulation game Captain Tsubasa: Dream Team debuted new players wearing the Saudi Arabia national team official kit. (supplied)

In 2023, the cultural significance of Captain Majid received further recognition when Saudi Arabia’s Manga Productions announced a partnership with Tsubasa Co. This collaboration aims to produce new content related to the titular character, including animation and merchandise.

The signing ceremony featured world-renowned mangaka and creator of Captain Tsubasa, Yoichi Takahashi, along with Manga Productions CEO Essam Bukhary.

Bukhary spoke about how the character had “inspired many generations for more than 30 years from the Arab and international audience.”

Captain Majid is more than entertainment — it embodies sportsmanship and the importance of hard work. The characters model values that resonate, such as dedication, resilience and the pursuit of excellence.

The series’ thrilling matches and the relentless pursuit of victory make it relatable to viewers who share the same passion for the sport.

As the series continues to evolve, it remains a beloved part of the Kingdom’s entertainment culture and encourages young Saudis to dream big and pursue their passion for football.

The stories of Melhan and Al-Nasser are just two examples of Captain Majid’s influence.

 

In 2020, KLab Inc., a leader in online mobile games, announced that its head-to-head football simulation game Captain Tsubasa: Dream Team debuted new players wearing the Saudi Arabia national team official kit.

Two new players, Mark Owairan and Vulcan, debuted wearing the official Saudi Arabia national football uniform. They were available in the Warring World Warriors: Saudi Arabia National Team Step-Up Transfer until Monday, January 18. During the 10-Player Step-Up Transfer, players were able to receive the new SSR Players Hidden Ability Evolution ready, and each step included extra benefits, so many players checked it out!

In January, creator Takahashi announced an end to the original manga version of the series, which had been running since 1981. But the character of Captain Majid lives on through its various adaptations and will always hold a special place in the hearts of Saudis and the wider Arab world. 


‘SAMAI’ initiative has enabled over 330,000 Saudi citizens to use AI, says SDAIA chief

Updated 50 min 2 sec ago
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‘SAMAI’ initiative has enabled over 330,000 Saudi citizens to use AI, says SDAIA chief

  • Launched in September 2024, SAMAI targets citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds.

RIYADH: Some 334,000 Saudis have so far have benefitted from the government program aimed at empowering citizens with AI capabilities, according to the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, or SDAIA.

During the keynote session of the Non-Profit Sector Forum in Education and Training 2025 in Riyadh on July 2, SDAIA chief Abdullah Alghamdi also said that partnerships the authority had forged with other government agencies have positioned the Kingdom first globally in empowering women in AI and second globally in community awareness.

Launched in September 2024 at the Global AI Summit (GAIN), the SAMAI initiative targets citizens across all age groups and professional backgrounds.

The program is a joint undertaking of the SDAIA, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, according to SPA.

Alghamdi also cited several national initiatives that resulted from this collaboration, including the National Olympiad for Programming and Artificial Intelligence, “ATHKA Competition.” 

More than 260,000 male and female students from intermediate and secondary schools participated, with 10,000 advancing to the final stage, he said. 

One key initiative cited by the SDAIA chief was the  “Road to ATHKA,” which trained more than 570,000 students on artificial intelligence concepts.

Yet another initiative was the “Future Intelligence Programmers” program, which has successfully trained over 10,000 teachers.

The SDAIA and Education ministry had likewise jointly established the Center for Excellence in Education, "designed to institutionalize technological integration within the education sector, sustain future-oriented initiatives, and leverage AI to enhance learning outcomes."

 


Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

Updated 04 July 2025
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Saudi crown prince receives UAE national security advisor

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received UAE National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Salam Palace in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The crown prince and Shiekh Tahnoun, who is also the deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, discussed relations between the Kingdom and the UAE and ways to enhance them.


Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi authorities close 996 establishments over health violations 

RIYADH: A total of 5,912 inspections covering 4,307 establishments were carried out across the Kingdom by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority in April and May.

A total of 996 were shut down due to various violations, while 136 were closed for operating without required licenses and for product safety breaches.

Additionally, production lines at 127 establishments were halted and 1,750 types of products were seized.

The initiative is part of the SFDA’s efforts to ensure compliance with approved regulations and to uphold high quality standards.

At one food establishment, inspectors found raw materials of an unknown origin, employees without health certificates, the absence of a tracking system and inadequate measures being taken to prevent cross-contamination. These led to the closure of the business and the implementation of necessary legal measures.
 


Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed

Updated 03 July 2025
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Need for global collaboration to fight drought stressed

  • Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development

RIYADH: As part of the Kingdom’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of desertification, improve air quality and achieve its sustainable development goals, Saudi Arabia, along with partners, launched the Riyadh Global Drought Resilience Partnership on the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development.

Held in Seville, Spain, from June 30 to July 3, the four-day event saw the participation of 70 countries, including attendance by local and international ministers, environmental organizations and financial development entities.

Among the participants was Saudi Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Osama Faqeeha.

Faqeeha, who is also the adviser to the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties Presidency, emphasized the significance of collaborative efforts and innovation to address the escalating threat of climate change that resulted in complicated and devastating environmental issues such as drought.

Faqeeha said: “The Riyadh Drought Resilience Partnership will serve as a global facilitator, a ‘one-stop shop’ for drought resilience, promoting the shift from reactive relief response after drought hits to proactive preparedness.

“We also seek to amplify global resources to save lives and livelihoods around the world.”

The deputy minister said that solutions should be applied through strategies and mechanisms to ensure enhanced resilience in the areas that were mostly affected by drought and climate change globally.

He praised the partnership with the International Drought Resilience Alliance, a global coalition that aims to build resilience against droughts and climate change. 

He said it was fundamental to bridging the gap between the political and financial aspects to ensure the achievement of long-term sustainable development objectives.

The discussion highlighted some of the national efforts and strategies for environmental sustainability, including efforts by the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Islamic Development Bank and the CAF Development Bank of Latin America.


Saudi Shoura Council members visit Turkish parliament

Updated 03 July 2025
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Saudi Shoura Council members visit Turkish parliament

ANKARA: Members of the Saudi-Turkish Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Saudi Shoura Council met with their counterparts from Turkiye during a visit to the country.

During the meeting, held in Ankara, the two sides reviewed ways to further boost their relations and discussed other topics of common interest.

The Saudi delegation also met with Numan Kurtulmus, president of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.