Mansour Al-Balawi

Mansour Al-Balawi, a distinguished businessman and poet, played an influential role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s cultural and sporting landscapes. Widely celebrated for his presidency of Jeddah’s Al-Ittihad Club, he was instrumental in positioning the club among the top hundred clubs globally.

A successful entrepreneur in both local and international business circles, Al-Balawi has managed several prominent companies across diverse sectors including media, hospitality, and telecommunications. His poetic talents have also left a significant cultural mark in the Gulf region, offering renowned artists lyrical content for memorable regional hits.

Mansour Al-Balawi wrote lyrics under the name “Mansour Al-Shadi,” with acclaimed artists recording his compositions, including Mohammed Abdu’s famous song “Al-Amaken.”

Born in 1964 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Mansour earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics, setting the stage for a prosperous career in business.

From the early stages of his professional life, he demonstrated a keen entrepreneurial spirit by building successful enterprises both within Saudi Arabia and internationally, eventually establishing himself as a significant figure in the Arab business community.

Mansour Al-Balawi is married, and has three sons and four daughters.

A Legacy in Sports, Culture, and the Arts

Mansour Al-Balawi is a prominent Saudi figure whose impact spans across sports leadership, cultural patronage, and poetic expression. His journey began in 1993, when he joined the board of Al-Ittihad Sports Club, one of Saudi Arabia’s most storied football institutions. By 1995, he was overseeing the club’s football team, and after a brief hiatus, he returned in 2002, rising to club president in 2003.

⚽ A Golden Era for Al-Ittihad

Under Al-Balawi’s presidency, Al-Ittihad entered an unprecedented era of success, securing more than 200 titles across multiple sports. Known for his deep financial commitment, he reportedly invested close to SAR 500 million into the club’s development, a move that reshaped Saudi sports leadership.

His tenure was marked by several historic milestones:

Al-Balawi also introduced groundbreaking reforms for Saudi clubs, such as medical insurance for players and the creation of a state-of-the-art media center. He oversaw the signing of over 35 football stars from world-renowned clubs like Inter Milan, and from elite leagues in Brazil, Portugal, Egypt, and Morocco.

His influence extended beyond Al-Ittihad, as he held honorary memberships in several top clubs, including Egypt’s legendary Zamalek SC.

🎵 Poet of the People: Mansour Al-Shadi

Outside the sports arena, Mansour Al-Balawi is equally celebrated in the Gulf’s cultural and musical circles under his poetic pseudonym, “Mansour Al-Shadi.” As a lyricist, his work has been embraced by the region’s most beloved artists:

His lyrical voice has become a defining feature of modern Khaleeji music, blending poetic depth with emotional resonance.

Contributing further to Saudi cultural understanding, Al-Balawi released a book titled “Ana wal Ittihad” (“I and Al-Ittihad”), documenting his journey with the club.

Businesswise, he leads or manages several entities such as SAB holding company, Lingo, SAB Media, and multiple hospitality facilities including Mövenpick and Crystal resorts in Egypt’s Sharm El Sheikh. Al-Balawi’s business profile diversified further through involvement in the retail and telecommunications sectors.

In November 2007, Mansour Al-Balawi resigned unexpectedly from his role as Al-Ittihad Club president. Recently, he was among those briefly detained during anti-corruption inquiries in Saudi Arabia, without any substantial charges publicly declared against him.