Latest news with #ArabianGulfCupFootballFederation
Arab Times
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait's Veterans ready for Gulf Cup opener against Oman
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 20: The Gulf Cup for Veterans Football Championship is set to begin on Saturday, at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium, running until next Wednesday. The tournament will feature four matches on the opening day. Kuwait will launch its campaign against Oman at 7:45 pm, while Qatar and the UAE will face off at 9:15 pm in Group One. Earlier in the day, Iraq will take on Yemen at 4:45 pm, followed by a Group Two clash between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at 6:15 pm. The tournament features eight teams, divided into two groups based on the Gulf 26 Cup draw, which Kuwait hosted from December 20 to January 4. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. Today, a press conference will be held for the coaches of the participating teams. The Group One coaches will speak at 3:00 pm, followed by the Group Two coaches at 3:45 pm. Meanwhile, officials from the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation have arrived in Kuwait and conducted inspections of Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Stadium, team accommodations, and other logistical arrangements to ensure the success of the event, which has drawn significant media and public interest. Muhammad Binyan, Director of the Kuwait team for Veterans, affirmed that "The Blues" are fully prepared for the championship following a successful preparation phase. The team played three friendly matches, showing gradual improvement, culminating in an impressive performance in their final warm-up game. Binyan expressed gratitude to the tournament organizers, highlighting the event's significance in bringing together former Gulf football stars during Kuwait's national holiday celebrations in February. He emphasized that the Gulf Veterans Cup presents a great opportunity for fans to witness legendary players in action. With all four matches played on the same day—each lasting 40 minutes with two halves—spectators at Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Stadium can enjoy a full day of football featuring the region's former stars. Binyan also noted that despite some injuries during training, the medical team provided excellent care to ensure the players' readiness. He concluded by wishing success to the Kuwait team and all participating nations in making the tournament a memorable event.
Arab Times
11-02-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
$200,000 for the Gulf Legends Championship winner
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 11: Mohsen Musabah, member of the Old Players Committee of the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation and former UAE national team goalkeeper, revealed the financial rewards for the upcoming "Gulf Legends" Championship, set to take place at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium from February 22-26. Musabah confirmed that the champion of the tournament will receive a prize of $200,000, while the runner-up will earn $150,000. In addition, all participating teams will be rewarded with a financial incentive for each match played. This announcement came during a press conference, where Musabah also explained a change in the tournament's name. He noted that some retired players from recent years had not been referred to as "legends," thus providing an opportunity for all former players to participate in this competitive event, which will be held for the first time. The championship is set to continue in the future, with plans for it to accompany all Gulf championships. The inaugural event will coincide with the 27th Gulf Championship, set to take place in Saudi Arabia. Musabah also emphasized that financial rewards are not limited to the participating teams. The tournament will honor the best player, top scorer, and best goalkeeper with a prize of 150,000 Qatari riyals each. Additionally, he responded to a question regarding ticket pricing, stating that the decision lies with the Kuwait Football Association. From his perspective, he believes that offering free entry would allow more fans to enjoy the event, especially those celebrating Kuwait's national holidays, which could further boost attendance at the Gulf Cup for veteran players. Hassan Matar Al-Suwaidi, head of the Old Players Committee, expressed gratitude to the State of Kuwait for hosting the event, which will take place from February 22-26 at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium in Al-Sulaibikhat Club. He also thanked Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, the Qatari Minister of Sports and Youth and President of the Gulf Federation, for initiating the idea of holding the tournament. Al-Suwaidi further explained that the tournament was initially scheduled to coincide with the 26th Gulf Cup hosted by Kuwait from December 21 to January 4, but it was postponed to align with Kuwait's national holidays. He announced that the tournament will feature four matches per day, with each match lasting 40 minutes, divided into two 20-minute halves. Teams will also be permitted substitutions to avoid injuries during play. Finally, Al-Suwaidi confirmed that the tournament's name had been changed from the Gulf Legends Championship to the Gulf Cup for Veterans to reflect its inclusive nature for all former players who participated in previous Gulf competitions. Therefore, the event is open to more than just "legends."
