Bnei Sakhnin Enters New Era with Khaled Dookhi as Chairman and Record Foreign Signing

Bnei Sakhnin, the leading Arab football club in Israel, has undergone significant changes this summer, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter. On June 20, longtime chairman Mohammed Abu-Younes, who led the club for 15 seasons, stepped down. He was succeeded by Khaled Dookhi, a local businessman deeply connected to the club and experienced in its management through volunteer roles.

The club, known for its stability and loyal fan base, has maintained its position in the Israeli Premier League despite past relegations. This season, the Doha Stadium was approved for hosting matches well ahead of the league start, a notable achievement given recent precedents. Coach Yossi Abuksis, who secured the team’s league survival last season, continues at the helm. However, Bnei Sakhnin’s performance in the Toto Cup has been disappointing, with four losses in four games and many questions about the team’s form.

The squad has seen a major overhaul with eight players leaving, including Carlo Brusic, Hassan Hilu, and Eden Shamir, while a similar number of new players have joined. Notable signings include Israeli players Iyad Abu Abid, Louie Half, and Amit Cardi, alongside foreign recruits such as Romanian goalkeeper Raul Belbrau, Portuguese defender Sana Gomes, Angolan midfielder Carlitos, Lithuanian defensive midfielder Modestas Vorobiovas, and French defender Dimitri Kabara. Kabara, personally requested by Abuksis, became the club’s most expensive foreign player with a salary of 250,000 euros per season, expected to lead the defense.

Bnei Sakhnin is still looking to strengthen its squad by adding a striker and a right-back. Chairman Dookhi emphasizes financial stability as his top priority, aiming to build a debt-free club with a solid foundation and to secure sponsorships for sustainable growth. He downplays the poor Toto Cup results, attributing them to incomplete lineups and the integration of youth players, and remains optimistic about the league campaign.

The club’s budget for the upcoming season is approximately 24 million shekels, sourced from institutional revenues, sponsorships, ticket sales, and owner investments. Although the budget increased by two million shekels compared to last season, this amount will primarily cover previous deficits. Dookhi’s vision focuses on professional, financial, and competitive stability rather than immediate high ambitions.