Kalba have designs on sticking around this time in the Arabian Gulf League

Headed by a foreign contingent that includes former Barcelona and Real Madrid reserve Thaer Bawab, Kalba are putting the resources into an elusive stay in the UAE top flight.

Disappointing in their last two Arabian Gulf League campaigns, little Kalba have promised a fight to keep their place in the top division this time around.

Kalba, winners of Division One last season, looked like misfits among the heavyweights in their past two appearances, finishing 11th among 12 teams in 2010/11 and at the bottom of the 14-team league table two years later with a mere 11 points.

However, with increased financial support from Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed, the Ruler of Sharjah, and a budget of Dh30 million, Kalba are confident they have the resources to fight for their stay in the top division.

“Our priority is to make sure we stay in the professional league after the heartbreaks the last time we played in the top division,” said Khalfan Al Darmaki, the secretary general of Kalba, ahead of the team’s departure yesterday for their pre-season camp in Italy.

“So the administrative and the technical team of the club have been working together since the end of last season to draw up plans that would help us meet our goals, achieve positive results and help the team go far in all three domestic competitions: the league, the Arabian Gulf Cup or the President’s Cup.

“I believe we have done a good job so far in signing a number of good foreign and Emirati players, as per the requirements and recommendations of the technical team, and we hope we will return from this camp Italy ready to defend the honour of the club.”

Unlike Division One runners-up Fujairah, who have been making international headlines with their bids for the Chilean Jorge Valdivia and Algerian captain Madjid Bougherra, Kalba have been more conservative in the transfer market.

They have signed two Brazilians, centre-back Rafael and midfielder Danilo Bueno, and Portuguese striker Luis Leal, who has turned out for Lisbon club Estoril and Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia. Jordanian striker Thaer Bawab, a former Real Madrid and Barcelona reserve-team player, will be their Asian recruit.

“I am proud to have played alongside Lionel Messi, Xavi, Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho during my days at Real Madrid and Barcelona,” said Bawab, 29. “We played many matches together. Now I hope to use that experience here and help Kalba achieve their targets by playing at the same level as I did back then, play with the same passion as I have played for all my teams, including Jordan.

“I know the task will not be easy and I know there will be a major responsibility on me, but with the support of my teammates, I am sure we can keep our place in the professional league.

“I have received a really warm reception from the fans here in Kalba and I promise I will do my best to bring joy to them, play my part in helping the team achieve positive results.”

On the domestic front, Kalba have brought in the experienced Ali Abbas from Al Dhafra, Fahad Ahmed from Baniyas, Al Ain’s Sultan Nasser, Khamis Ahmed of Al Nasr, Al Wahda’s Nayef Salem and Ali Sanad from Al Shabab.

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