AGCFF chief praises Gulf Cup hosts Iraq

His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, president of the Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation (AGCFF), extended his gratitude and appreciation to the people of Iraq and the Iraqi government, headed by Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, along with Ahmed al Mubarqa, the Iraqi Minister of Youth and Sports; Engineer Asaad al Eidani, Governor of Basra; and Adnan Darjal, President of the Iraqi Football Association, (IFA) for the warm hospitality, and the efforts put in by everyone to organise the 25th Arabain Gulf Cup in Basra.
HE Sheikh Hamad praised the organisers for the impressive opening ceremony of the 25th Gulf Cup in Basra that was held at the Basra International Stadium and the wonderful display of history and art that viewers witnessed.
He commended the Iraqi Football Association and tournament officials for preparing for this tournament from all aspects, adding: “We are aware that all tournaments in the world have negatives and positives, but the positives are always strengthened and solutions are developed for the negatives, so that they are not repeated.
“We hope that people will not focus on the negatives. in order to support the Iraqi Football Association in their organisation.”
He added: “The technical level of the performances so far was mediocre and did not reach the required level, and this is normal at the start of each tournament. We hope in the next rounds that the level will be higher than that, for all players of the Gulf teams.”
HE Sheikh Hamad also had words of praise for Iraqi football fans who are ‘the main pillar of support for the tournament, who were keen to attend all matches, whether they were held in Basra Stadium or Al Minaa Stadium’.
“This is evidence of the Iraqi fans’ love for the game of football,” he said.
He concluded by confirming that a general meeting will be held on January 13, 2023 to consult with the heads of the eight Gulf federations on ways to develop the work of the AGCFF, and Gulf football in general.