Gulf 25
Social networking sites in the Arab world were buzzing with the news of the Kuwaiti delegation’s withdrawal from the opening ceremony of the Arab Gulf Cup “Gulf 25” in Basra, Iraq.
Kuwait Football Association
The Kuwait Football Association expressed its strong dissatisfaction with the poor organization of the opening ceremony of the 25th Gulf Cup in the city of Basra, and the resulting mass stampede and severe crowding that prevented the head of the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee, Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad, representative of the Emir of the country, from entering the stadium. Basra, to attend the opening ceremony, “to preserve his safety and the safety of his accompanying delegation.”
In a statement posted on its official pages on social media, the Kuwaiti Federation noted that due to what happened, and in solidarity with the representative of the Emir of the country, the President of the Kuwait Football Association and his accompanying delegation withdrew from the opening ceremony, and informed his Iraqi counterpart and those responsible for organizing the federation’s protest against that. Regulatory matters.
He added: “In order to preserve the status and importance of the tournament, and in support of the brothers, the Kuwait national football team will continue to participate in its activities, with assurances from the Iraqi side that all security and safety means required for continued participation will be available, and the president of the Kuwait Football Association and his accompanying delegation will follow up on the affairs of the national team.” To ensure that the players are not affected by any of these events, and to ensure their safety and security.
And he continued, “We reassure the Kuwaiti fans of the safety of the players and all members of the Kuwaiti delegation who are currently in the city of Basra, and we call on the fans to continue supporting and aiding our team in the tournament, with all wishes for safety for all.”
According to Kuwaiti local media, the Kuwaiti delegation was the last delegation to arrive at the Basra stadium, according to the arrangements of the organizing committee, and during the delegation’s entry to the stadium, security chaos occurred, while uninvited parties entered the opening ceremony, specifically in the VIP venues.
According to the source, the delegation arrived at the stadium headed by the representative of His Highness the Emir, Chairman of the Kuwaiti Olympic Committee, Sheikh Fahd Al-Nasser, to the stadium, and the delegation was accompanied by the Iraqi Minister of Sports, Ahmed Al-Mubarqa.
While the delegation was in the VIP building in the stadium, a number of Iraqi fans stormed the stadium, while the security forces were unable to control the crowd.
After that, the Minister of Sports suggested to the members of the Kuwaiti delegation to leave the stadium due to the lack of security, and the members of the delegation headed to the airport to return to Kuwait.
Social Media
The pioneers of social networking sites shared video clips from the VIP area, where the problem occurred.
Ahmed Al-Maimouni said: “The event in brief and the reason for the withdrawal of the Kuwaiti delegation from the audience. The Kuwaiti delegation arrived at the stadium and before they entered the hall of VIPs and guests that there were Iraqi leaders and parties who sat in their designated places. The Minister of Sports apologized to them and the delegation returned to the airport and the brothers, members of the parties, quarreled with each other. Only.”
On the other hand, many considered that what happened during the opening ceremony could happen anywhere in the world.
Reda Selim said: “Do not oppress Iraq. Do not spoil their joy. What happened at the opening ceremony may happen in any championship in the world. I am with Iraq until the end of the Gulf 25, even after the platform incident and the withdrawal of the Kuwaiti delegation.”
For his part, Iyad Al-Rifai said: “Commenting on the withdrawal of the Kuwaiti delegation from the Gulf 25, I say that if the drama comes from its people, then it is not surprising, as brotherly Kuwait has always dominated the dramatic scene in the Gulf and excelled in weaving comedic and tragic stories and plays. Bless you people in Iraq and Basra. For your organization and your shortcomings.
Others sang at the opening ceremony.
Sports commentator Khalil Al Balushi said: “Iraq with its history, Iraq with its civilization, Iraq with the past and present, Iraq with the future of its children, creativity and a wonderful ceremony befitting Iraq and the Gulf Cup. One of the most beautiful throughout the history of the tournament. Thank you for this creativity in the opening of the Gulf Cup 25.”
Gulf 25
The Iraqi city of Basra will host the competitions of the twenty-fifth edition of the Gulf Cup, which started on Friday, January 6, and will continue until the nineteenth of the same month.
This is the second time that Iraq has hosted this tournament, after the 1979 edition, which was held in the capital, Baghdad.
The participating teams are divided into two groups; The first includes Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Oman, while the second includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the Emirates.
Two teams from each group qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held according to the knockout system.
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia’a Al-Sudani, announced the launch of the tournament through a tweet in which he said: “We announce, with the blessing of God, the launch of the Gulf Championship 25.”