RIYADH — The former Saudi Arabia international Khamis Al-Owairan has died at the age of 46 after a battle with cancer, family members announced.

Midfielder Al-Owairan played for Al-Hilal between 1997 and 2001, after which he moved to Al-Ittihad and stayed with the club until 2007, before announcing his retirement from football.

Al-Owairan starred for the Saudi national team for ten years between 1994 and 2004, playing in the World Cup in 1998 and 2002, as well as the 1996 Olympics, winning 102 caps.

Al-Owairan underwent surgery recently in King Fahd Medical City after he was exposed to a health problem, whenhe entered the hospital a year ago. Medical examinations revealed at the time that Owairan had a tumor, which required surgical intervention to remove it. — SG