The Gulf Cup…a qualitative leap in the development of Gulf football, continentally and globally
KUWAIT, 4th January, 2018 (WAM) – More than 54 years ago, the first edition of the Arabian Gulf Football Cup was launched in the Kingdom of Bahrain, with the aim of strengthening brotherly ties and raising the technical levels of the Gulf teams.
Over more than half a century, through matches, initiatives, events and forums, the tournament represented a major leap in Gulf football, at the level of performance and management, and the emergence of distinguished leaders who contributed to the development of football at the continental and international levels, and was the reason for the construction of modern stadiums and model sports facilities. Which contributed to the transition towards globalism, and made the region a destination for major continental and international events by hosting and organizing the largest tournaments and most important events at all levels.
The Gulf Championships were full of meetings with heads of Gulf federations and media professionals, reviewing ways to develop sports, and developing strategic plans and programs for sports renaissance. They also had a great impact and a tangible role in discovering talent, and the emergence of arbitration cadres such as Ali Bujasim, Muhammad Abdullah Hassan, and Kuwaiti Saad Kamil, in addition to… Exchanging cultures and strengthening ties, embodying the visions of the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for growth, prosperity and development, and laying a solid foundation to confirm the importance of the region in development. Sports is modeled on the great renaissance witnessed by the countries of the region.
Throughout its history, the tournament witnessed the birth of many Gulf national team stars, who contributed to their teams reaching the level of global competitiveness, participation in world championships, and professionalism in European leagues in different decades, as this tournament represented the stage of launch, stardom, and reaching international level, in addition to qualifying. Many Gulf teams have participated in the World Cup several times, in addition to other continental championships.
Bashar Abdullah, Acting Director General of the Public Authority for Sports in the State of Kuwait, and a former international player, said that the Arabian Gulf Football Cup contributed to raising the technical levels of the teams and players, and enhancing rapprochement between the peoples of the region, and it also receives official attention and media follow-up, pointing out The importance of the tournament lies in football development and talent discovery, with the need to pay attention to developing players and bringing their competitiveness to the best international levels.
Ali Masri, a former national team player, described the Arabian Gulf Football Cup as an important station for football development, through interaction between Gulf teams and raising the level of players. It also represents a great impetus for development by motivating players of Gulf teams to demonstrate good technical levels and momentum. Which it witnesses from the public attendance, in addition to its pivotal role in strengthening relations between the peoples of the region, through getting to know the Gulf people during the session.
He said: “For example, the winner of the Bahraini and Omani teams in the final of the Arabian Gulf Football Cup today will enjoy a great moral boost before moving on to participate in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. We also noticed that the Iraqi team’s victory in the last edition in Iraq gained them great confidence in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. “The World Cup, and it is very important that the timing of the tournament is appropriate for the timing of other tournaments, as there are about 4 matches remaining in the World Cup qualifiers, and the Gulf teams will return to participate in them well prepared.”
Mesri added: “We note that the UAE national team’s good results continued after it succeeded in winning the “Gulf 18” with the late coach Bruno Metsu, and it continued with the national coach, Mahdi Ali, until it succeeded in achieving the “Gulf 21” title, and vice versa, the negative results in the Gulf Cup. “It negatively affects the course of the teams.”
For his part, Ahmed Eid Al-Harbi, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Football Federation and international goalkeeper, pointed out that the Gulf Football Championship brings together Gulf people in a strong sporting competition.
Al-Harbi stated that there are a small number of Gulf players who play professionally in foreign leagues, which requires more attention to the Gulf player locally, continentally and internationally, so that we can succeed in benefiting from the abilities and potential of the Gulf player, given the great talent he possesses.
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