Sixteen teams will take part in the 12th edition of the Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Football Tournament (Nasser 12).
The tournament, to be played at Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town, kicks off on May 2 and continues until May 22, when the final will be held.
His Majesty the King’s representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa has approved the participating teams in the tournament. The teams are: Victorious, Batelco Gunners United, Forever, Al Nawayef, Bahrain Falcons, Legends, Delmon, Al Fakhar, Tylos, Dreams, Al Za’eem, Nomas, White Faclon, Jernas, Al Forsan and Winning.
Shaikh Nasser said that the tournament would be a continuation of the success witnessed in the previous 11 editions, which saw the participation of scores of Bahraini youth and fulfilled the goal it was set for – granting the youth of Bahrain the opportunity of meeting and competing in a brotherly atmosphere.
The tournament, said Shaikh Nasser, is an opportunity to discover new talents like in the previous editions, where many participants were signed by national football clubs after displaying excellent skills.
He added that the tournament has gained vast reputation among the youth of Bahrain over the past 11 years, stating that the active participation of the teams and the large number of spectators have contributed to the success of the event.
Shaikh Nasser also approved the tournament’s organising committee, which will be headed by Media Office and Information Centre head Tawfeeq Al Salehy and will include tournament director Ali Al Majed, Bahrain Sports Channel head Maryam Bukamal, who will head the Television Coverage Committee, Media Committee chief Mazin Anwar, Pitch and Services Committee head Shukri Al Qallaf and general co-ordinator Mohammed Touq. Besides, a representative of the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) board of directors to be in charge of the Discipline Committee and head the Referees Committee.
Meanhwile, a draw was held during a special ceremony at the BFA headquarters in the presence of representatives of the participating teams and members of the organising committee to choose the groups playing in the tournament. The tournament has bee divided into four groups consisting of four teams each.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter finals.
The new logo of the tournament was also unveiled at the end of the ceremony.