At the end of a tight combat at the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship 2019, Bahrain has emerged as the champions of defeating the hosts Iraq National Team 1-0 in the at the Karbala Sports City.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has received a cable of congratulations from HM the King’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on Bahrain’s winning the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship 2019.
HH Shaikh Nasser extended deepest congratulations to HM King Hamad on the great achievement attained by Bahraini players at the regional sports gathering, noting that it is the fruitful outcome of HM the King’s support for the youth and sports movement in the Kingdom, and a new milestone that adds to the rich record of honourable accomplishments attained by Bahraini athletes during HM the King’s prosperous era.
HH Shaikh Nasser stressed that HM King Hamad’s unwavering interest in Bahraini football have motivated Bahraini footballers to spare no effort in order to reach podiums and engrave Bahrain’s name with golden letters in the tournament’s record.
HH Shaikh Nasser affirmed that HM the King’s continued interest in Bahraini sports and support for its affiliates will be a catalyst for doubling efforts to attain more honourable successes.
HH Shaikh Nasser pledged to carry on implementing the royal directives on enhancing sports in the kingdom.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also received a cable of congratulations from First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Bahrain’s victory at WAFF.
HH Shaikh Khalid congratulated HM the King on Bahrain National Team’s winning the first place in the tournament, describing the achievement as the dividend of the royal support to the sport sector, in general, and football, in particular. He pledged to continue carrying out the royal vision to further develop the sport movement in Bahrain and bring about more victories in the upcoming championships.
Bahrain claimed their maiden West Asian regional title in a tightly contested final in front of a full capacity home crowd, with a solitary strike from Isa Moosa Ali in the 39th minute. The hosts definitely vigorously tried for an equaliser in the reminder of the game, but the Bahrain defence stood strong as they held on for a fourth consecutive victory in the tournament.
Bahrain team had defeated Jordan and Kuwait by 1-0 score lines while holding Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in the group stages while Iraq had recorded three wins and a draw in their group as they progressed to the final ahead of Palestine, Yemen, Lebanon and Syria.
The victory is a dream start as Bahrain’s new head coach for Portuguese tactician Helio Sousa who guided the national team to their first regional title in his first tournament in charge.
Bahrain is the winner of the ninth edition of WAFF, founded in 2001 as association of the Football playing nations in Western Asia. Bahrain joined among the 12 nations in the Federation in 2010.
Council of Representative Speaker Fawziya bint Abdulla Zainal congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, hailing the unwavering royal support and directives to youth and sports in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
She sent two cables of congratulations to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.
She also extended a similar cable of congratulations on this occasion to His Majesty’s Representative for Youth and Sports Affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) Chairman His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa.
She also congratulated the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) chairman and board members, technical and administrative staff and players on clinching the championship and honouring the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The National team arrived in the Kingdom amidst applauds on their victory and was welcomed by HM the King’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President-HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Youth and Sports Affairs Minister-Ayman bin Tawfiq Al-Moayyad, SCYS’s Assistant Secretary-General Dr. Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar and BOC Secretary-General-Mohammed Hassan Al-Nusuf, as well as Bahrain Football Association (BFA) President-Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and board members were present.
HH Shaikh Nasser congratulated the players, and described them as the best ambassadors for their country at the regional tournament, noting that they have proved that Bahrainis’ metal is gold and always aim for gold.
HH Shaikh Nasser expressed pleasure at the players’ excellent performance and dedication throughout the tournament, adding that their high morale will stimulate them to attain better results at the coming international championships and gatherings.
HH Shaikh Nasser highlighted keenness to support the national team with all the requirements for success for the future competitions, such as the qualifiers of the World Cup 2022 and the AFC Cup 2023.
H.E. Ayman bin Tawfiq Al-Moayyad expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to HH Shaikh Nasser for his constant support for the national team before and during the tournament, which enabled them to improve their performance for the first place. He asserted that the distinguished performance showcased by the team during the tournament will help them do well at the World Cup and AFC Cup qualifiers.
H.E. Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa extended heartfelt congratulations to HM the King, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, on the victory.
BFA chief stressed that the exploit is the outcome of the support of HM King Hamad for the sports sector in Bahrain, noting that it adds to the accomplishments of the national team during the Golden Era of sports in Bahrain.
Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa praised HH Shaikh Nasser and HH Shaikh Khalid for their constant support for national football team. He also praised the players’ distinguished performance, and commended the efforts exerted by the administrative and technical staff.
The Captain of the national football team, Sayed Mohammed Jaffar, expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to HH Shaikh Nasser and HH Shaikh Khalid for their constant support for the team on behalf of the players. He affirmed that the ultimate goal for the team was to translate HH Shaikh Nasser’s ‘Gold Only’ slogan into the ground through winning the tournament’s trophy. He extended thanks to all his team mates for the great achievement, pledging to perform well during the upcoming competitions.