Seven chartered flights will carry fans of Bahrain’s national football team to Kuwait for the highly anticipated 26th Gulf Cup final against Oman tomorrow.
The flights are being organised by the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) in co-operation with the Bahrain Football Association (BFA), Beyon, Gulf Air and the Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait.
Bahrain is looking to clinch their second-ever Gulf Cup following their maiden victory over neighbours Saudi Arabia in 2019, courtesy of a famous winning goal by Mohamed Al Romaihi.
This year’s final will be held at the 60,000-capacity Jaber International Stadium in Kuwait City and is scheduled for a 7pm kick-off.
Bahrain’s fans have been allocated 18,000 tickets, the BFA announced yesterday.
The BFA stated that it has held several meetings with the ticket-issuing company assigned by the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF) with the aim of reaching the best options for Bahrain’s fans to secure their tickets conveniently.
The company showed great co-operation, the BFA added, noting that the 18,000 tickets were purchased from Bahrain-based Althamer Travel and Tourism at cost price.
Aside from these seats allocated to Bahraini fans, tickets for general admission can also be purchased on the ‘Hayakom’ application and through the AGCFF and Kuwait Football Association websites, the BFA confirmed.
The BFA has directed all parties who are providing support for the transportation of fans to co-ordinate with Althamer Travel and Tourism.
It noted that it is making a continued effort to increase Bahrain’s share of tickets for the match.
Meanwhile, registration for the flights opened last night, with fans needing to sign up using the link in the BOC’s Instagram account @bahrainolympic.
The flights come as part of the directives of His Majesty King Hamad, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and SCYS first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman, and BOC president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
His Majesty commended the national football team led by its captain Sayed Dhiya Saeed for advancing to the Gulf Cup final following a 1-0 victory over Kuwait on Tuesday.
He expressed his pride in the team’s performance, commending the players, technical staff and administrators for their efforts and emphasised that the achievement was a testament to the team’s hard work and determination.
He wished the team success in the final against Oman, highlighting the importance of maintaining a high level of performance to secure the championship.
There is a feeling of optimism among fans across the kingdom, including government officials who have pledged their support for the Dilmun Warriors.
Among them are MP Ahmed Al Salloom along with businessmen Adel Al Safar and Sayed Sharaf, who are also facilitating a trip to Kuwait for fans in co-operation with Gulf Air.
“We are proud of the national team and believe in the importance of supporting them at this crucial moment,” said Mr Al Salloom.
“Therefore, we decided to organise a trip for the fans to encourage players, enhance national spirit and support our national carrier.”
Meanwhile, the sale of flags, football jerseys and other merchandise have gone up in the Old Manama Suq as fans are more eager than ever to don red on the day.
The suq’s development committee vice-chairman Mahmood Al Namliti stated that businesses have benefited from the tournament in general, and sales increased even more when Mohammed Marhoon fired Bahrain to the final on Tuesday.
“Not just jerseys, but the sale of merchandise in general such as caps, scarves and pins have all gone up,” said Mr Al Namliti.
“People have shown that they want to support the nation in their own way, even if they cannot personally attend the match themselves.
“Some shops have put up special signs with the players’ faces on them, with hopes that their support will encourage the team.
“The suq has set up big screens in a few areas to show the match live, and we are expecting a good turnout.
“Additionally, it is not just Bahrainis who have shown their support, but we have also had people from the GCC, especially Saudi, who said they want to support the kingdom in the final.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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