DUBAI: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE have all confirmed their participation in the on-off 2017 Gulf Cup of Nations, due to kick off in Kuwait on Dec. 22.
The three countries had refused to confirm their participation in the tournament because it was due to be staged in Qatar, and Gulf Cup Football Federation Jassim Al-Rumaihi had said the competition was, as a result, “unlikely to take place.” But the late switching of the tournament to Kuwait, following the lifting of a suspension by FIFA, has prompted a rethink.
An official announcement by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) on Saturday confirmed their participation in the 23rd edition of the tournament, following statements by Bahrain and the UAE, but spokesman Mohamed Al-Shaikh told Arab News that it is still unclear whether a full-strength KSA team will be sent to Kuwait.
The SAFF will meet with national team boss Juan Antonio Pizzi in Riyadh today to decide the best course of action, according to Al-Shaikh. The Argentinian coach was appointed by the SAFF last month and the Gulf Cup will be his first assignment as he attempts to build and shape a team for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
As Saudi Arabia had no plans of participating in the Gulf Cup, there is no break scheduled in the Saudi Pro League fixtures list, but the competitions department at the SAFF is now set to postpone gameweeks 15 and 16, which were scheduled to take place between Dec. 21 and 29, to allow international players to join Pizzi’s squad in Kuwait.
Despite not being recognized as an official regional tournament under FIFA or the Asian Football Confederation, the Gulf Cup has taken place on a biennial basis since 1970 with few interruptions, and is held in high regard by the local fans.
The competition has traditionally featured seven countries, the six Gulf Cooperation Council members alongside Iraq. In 2003, Yemen was admitted to the tournament and its format was changed to two groups of four, the top two of each group advance to the knock-out style semifinal.
Kuwait holds the record for most titles in the Gulf Cup with ten triumphs, while Saudi Arabia has won the competition three times, starting with the 1994 edition in the UAE, before lifting back-to-back trophies in 2002 on home soil and in 2003 in Kuwait.
Saudi Arabia ready for Gulf Cup
Saudi Arabia ready for Gulf Cup
Hojgaard inspires Dubai students as Hero Dubai Desert Classic takes trophy tour to schools
DUBAI: Young Danish star Nicolai Hojgaard helped inspire the next generation of golfers as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic took its Dallah Trophy on tour across Dubai schools before the tournament’s 37th edition.
The Middle East’s oldest golf event returns to Emirates Golf Club from Jan. 22-25, with the trophy tour forming part of a wider drive to promote the sport at grassroots level and engage young people throughout the UAE.
The initiative began on Monday at The English College, where Hojgaard, a DP World Tour professional, met students for a Q&A session and trophy presentation. Pupils also took part in introductory golf activities delivered by the Emirates Golf Federation, designed to give them a fun and accessible first experience of the game.
The school visits are being delivered in partnership with The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation through The R&A’s “Unleash Your Drive in Schools” program. The initiative introduces golf in an inclusive, non-intimidating way while highlighting its physical and mental health benefits.
Following the opening visit, the trophy tour continued to Dubai Heights Academy on Tuesday and Horizon English School on Wednesday, with a final stop scheduled at Bloom World Academy on Thursday.
Simon Corkill, executive tournament director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said the program reflects the event’s long-term vision beyond elite competition.
“As the longest-running golf event in the Middle East, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is proud to work with The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation to inspire the next generation of golfers,” he said. “The trophy tour and school taster sessions demonstrate our commitment to developing future talent and ensuring golf is seen as an inclusive, enjoyable and healthy sport for young people.”
The Dubai Desert Classic is one of the flagship events on the global golf calendar and plays a central role in the sport’s growth in the region.
