BAHRAIN’S national football team was given a hero’s welcome as they returned home yesterday after clinching the Gulf Cup for the first time in 49 years.
Thousands of jubilant fans lined the roads from Muharraq to Zallaq to cheer their heroes as they made their way from Bahrain International Airport to Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in a special victory bus painted in the colours of the national flag.
Colourful
It was a sea of red and white as young people, elderly men and women and children decked in Bahrain’s national colours waited for more than three hours before the specially chartered Gulf Air flight carrying the victorious team landed at around 4pm.
The team was welcomed at the airport by Supreme Council for Youth and Sports first deputy (SCYS) chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Ayman Almoayed and BOC secretary-general Abdulrahman Askar.
The three were also on the bus as the victory parade wound its way along the nearly 40km route from the airport to BIC in Sakhir through people roaring and chanting, waving the national flag, singing, dancing and chanting praise.
At the airport, children in traditional wear were ready to throw rose petals and sweets accompanied by elderly women.
The aircraft landed to a water salute from two fire engine rigs as Bahrain Football Association (BFA) president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa opened the captain’s window to wave the Gulf Cup as an airport official stood on the mobile stairs applauding before the doors opened and the officials emerged with the cup.
Shaikh Khalid honoured the players with garlands before everyone present in the VIP lounge at the airport joined to cut a huge cake prepared for the occasion.
The team accompanied by Shaikh Khalid and other officials then boarded the bus decked in Bahrain’s national colours for the motor parade.
Bikers from all across the country followed the bus.
Waiting for the team at the BIC were His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, and His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for charity work and youth affairs, National Security Adviser and SCYS chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
The fans kept chanting “Bahrain ... Undefeatable” and “They Have Brought To Us” as a number of celebratory activities were held at BIC until late into the night.
“His Highness Shaikh Nasser has been saying for years that this is doable and he said that if there is a strategy in place and everybody knows what they need to do and what their role is, it would be within reach and he has proven it,” Mr Almaoyed told the GDN at the airport.
“His Highness has proven it much faster than expected and he has managed to do so in just 11 months,” he added.
“This now proves there is no excuse and if His Highness says that we are going to be champions then he has proven we are champions.
“We are looking at the professionalisation of sports and it is not a one-time award, it requires permanent recognition, development – commercial development – and then finally financial recognition and there is a lot in play and a lot that is planned and I think there are good things ahead especially for the players.”
Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid with the trophy
He added the victorious team members are set to receive a lot of prizes and gifts.
“There are a lot of prizes and presents coming and there are a lot more for the players.”
Meanwhilde, Al Kooheji Jewellery has gifted each team member a diamond ring.
National team player Mahdi Humaidan, who slept with the cup next to him on Sunday night and assisted the winning goal, thanked Bahrain’s fans and supporters for believing in them.
“We will do our best to get the celebrations ongoing as we reach the second round of World Cup 2022 qualifiers and what Bahrain fans and supporters have shown us is a source of gratitude.”
Team coach Paulo Sousa said everyone must keep working.
“We must prepare for the World Cup qualifiers and keep working even as we are happy with the fantastic achievements of the GCC Championship and the West Asian Football Championship in August,” he said.
“Fantastic, incredible feeling by the thousands waiting for us and so we are so happy to give joy and a pleasure to bring the GCC Cup after a long wait.
“Every player is giving their best and they will continue doing so.”
Team captain Sayed Mohammed Jaffar Sabt congratulated the nation and the supporters.
“This is our moment now and everybody is celebrating; I didn’t save the last Saudi shot alone, the whole team saved the day and won the tournament with me and I am proud of them,” he said.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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