Yemeni football league starts Thursday

Yemen’s national football league kickstarts on Thursday, following four months of delays caused by squad strikes. A number of provinces have already seen first round matches opening the 2012-2013 season. Helal managed to see off Shaab with a 1-0 victory in Ebb City, as Rashid beat Ahly Sanaa 3-2 in what many have called a deserved victory. Wehdet Sanaa beat Taleea 3–2, while Shaab Hadramout managed to see off Sholaa 3–1. League committee member Moaz el-Khameesy told Arabstoday the Yemeni Football Federation would provide clubs with first quarter financial dues, according to the season budget. Talks would continue to resolve internal differences, he said. Months of strikes began as Yemeni teams protested against the Youth and Sport Ministry’s financial policy. A restart to the season means squads have given in without achieving the main objective of the strike.