Bahrain celebrated its football heroes with a royal welcome as they returned home yesterday after the national team’s epic title triumph in 26th Gulf Cup.
The team was taken on a massive victory parade in a bus through Bahrain, which culminated in grand celebrations led by His Majesty King Hamad at Bahrain National Stadium in Riffa.
His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, SCYS first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa were also present at the celebrations at the National Stadium.
His Majesty said the achievement represented an important step towards a promising future for Bahraini football.
The King praised the team’s spirit of determination and noted the players’ technical skills and high competitive capabilities.
His Majesty also praised loyal Bahraini fans for continuously backing the team.
His Majesty, Shaikh Nasser and Shaikh Khalid with Bahrain’s football heroes.
Picture: Ahmed Al Fardan
The national team players and members of the administrative and technical staff had the honour of greeting His Majesty before the celebrations began, and a commemorative photo was taken. The celebration included spectacular fireworks.
There was a festive atmosphere at Bahrain International Airport earlier in the evening as thousands of fans and supporters gathered to greet their heroes who clinched the 26th Gulf Cup on Saturday night.
Bahrain won the coveted title for only the second time in the competition’s history by defeating Oman 2-1 in a drama-filled final at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City.
They were greeted at the Royal VIP Lounge of Bahrain International Airport by Shaikh Khalid.
Bahrain Football Association president Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa travelled with the team and he personally handed Shaikh Khalid the Gulf Cup winners’ trophy.
Bahrain’s heroes on the bus during the victory parade
The Bahrainis were then taken by a pair of buses to the National Stadium on a parade that was joined by hundreds of fans in their cars and motorbikes, passing by thousands more admiring supporters who lined up the streets along the way.
The victory parade travelled through Shaikh Isa Causeway, King Faisal Highway, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway, Wali Al Ahd Highway up to Riffa Clock roundabout before arriving at the stadium.
The red bus brought back memories of 2019 when a similar parade was held after Bahrain won the 24th Gulf Cup by defeating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Qatar.
The players were met by a sea of fans dressed in red and white attires, jerseys and flying flags and chanting and singing on the roadside.
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HEROES’ WELCOME: Bahrain celebrated its football heroes with a royal welcome as they returned home yesterday
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