MANAMA: His Majesty the King’s Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa congratulated the qualified teams to the football tournament semi-finals of the first Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Sports Games and eighth Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Football Championship (Nasser 8).
Shaikh Nasser urged the qualified teams – Victorious, Al Fakhar, Batelco Gunners United and Al Nawayef – to continue their good performance in the final rounds of the tournament, which he predicted to be tough, exciting and entertaining. He asserted that concentration, self-control, commitment to rules and regulations and sportsmanship would contribute to the success of this vital stage of the championship and strengthen the unity of Bahrain’s youth.
Shaikh Nasser said the championship has been organised to achieve noble goals towards Bahraini youth and sports movements, which require unifying efforts. He highlighted that many professional players in Bahrain national team and national and regional clubs have been discovered in the previous editions of the championship.
Shaikh Nasser appreciated the support of the media in highlighting the events of the tournament and promoting it. He also hailed the sponsoring national establishments that proved its responsibility to support and develop Bahraini youth and sports.
Yesterday, Nasser 8 advisory committee held a meeting that was chaired by Bahrain Olympic Committee Secretary-General Abdulrahman Askar and was attended by Shaikh Nasser Media and Information Centre Head and Nasser 8 Supreme Organising Committee Chairman Tawfeeq Al Salehy.
Askar appreciated the efforts of the organising committee members who work continuously to make Nasser 8 a successful event and to achieve the objectives set by Shaikh Nasser.
The meeting discussed the final preparations of the volleyball, basketball and football tournaments.
Meanwhile, Bahrain Handball Association (BHA) President Isa Ishaqi thanked Shaikh Nasser for patronising and attending the final match of Nasser 8 handball tournament and awarding the winning teams and best players.
Ishaqi said that Shaikh Nasser’s presence has been an honour for the association and handball enthusiasts in Bahrain, adding that it was a kind gesture of Shaikh Nasser to attend the match and interact with players.
He affirmed that BHA members have taken all the necessary procedures to ensure the success of the first edition of the tournament.
In the previous two matches of Nasser 8 football contests, Batelco Gunners United player Mahmoud Abdulrahman (Ringo) was awarded by Fast Link Establishment as the best player of the match that was held between the gunners and Forever team.
Mohammed Abdulla Al Najdi from Al Nawayef won the same award for his great performance in the match held between his team and Nomas.
The supreme organising committee of Nasser 8 announced that audience awards that are sponsored by CrediMax ar continuing as lucky spectators win BD200 in each match of the tournament.
The prize is divided among four of the audience, while it will be increased in final matches to BD500 divided among 10 lucky winners.
In other matters, the Nasser 8 Supreme Organising Committee members will meet today at Bahrain Football Association Headquarters at 1pm to discuss the final arrangements of Nasser 8 football championship.
The meeting will be chaired by Al Salehy and will be attended by Supreme Organising Committee Deputy Chairman and Nasser 8 Director Hassan Ismail, Media Committee Chairman Hussain Al Dirazi, Fields and Services Committee Head Khalid Khalil, Ceremonies Committee Head Hamad Hussain, Technical Committee Head Mohammed Hussain, Secretary and Follow Up Director Khalifa Al Shorooqi and Referees Committee Head Jassim Mahmoud.
Nasser 8 Basketball Committee will kick start at Bahrain Basketball Association field in Umm Al Hassam tomorrow and is set to conclude on Wednesday.
The tournament will have six teams – Manama Club, Al Ahli Club, Al Najma Club, Al Hala Club, Muharraq Club and VIP Team. They are divided on two groups. Group A comprises Manama, Al Najma and Muharraq while Group B teams are Al Ahli, Al Hala and VIP.