KUWAIT: As the countdown to the kick-off of Khaleeji Zain 26 (Arabian Gulf Cup) begins, Zain’s headquarters in Shuwaikh hosted the original trophy and official ball of the tournament. This marked Zain as the first destination for the trophy tour in Kuwait ahead of the tournament’s official kick-off on December 21.

The event was attended by Zain Group Chairman, Osama Al-Furaih, Vice Chairman and Group CEO, Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi, members of the Board of Directors and senior executives, the President of the Kuwait Football Association (KFA), Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, Kuwaiti football legend Saad Al-Houti, and the Director of Khaleeji Zain 26, Meshal Al-Subaie.

The Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC) displayed the original trophy and the official ball, offering Zain employees and their families the chance to take commemorative photos and create lasting memories ahead of the tournament’s start.

The trophy tour includes several stops, such as Kuwait International Airport and the premises of various partners and sponsors. The next destination will be The Walk Mall, Friday, December 13, from 5 pm to 10 pm. The tour will also feature the trophy and ball at Zain’s Fan Zone in Murouj on Thursday, December 19.

The current version of the Arabian Gulf Cup trophy is the sixth in the tournament’s history. Qatar first introduced this design in 2004, making it the most frequent contributor to Gulf Cup designs (three times). The trophy is shaped like an incense burner, crowned with a pearl, and wrapped with the traditional Gulf keffiyeh (shemagh and ghutra). A map of the Gulf is engraved on the trophy, symbolizing the unity of the Gulf people and nations.

The current trophy was crafted by the renowned Bertoni medal manufacturer in Italy, the company most famous for its production of the FIFA World Cup trophy. Made of pure gold, the Khaleeji Zain 26 trophy stands at a height of 47 cm.

Zain Group recently announced its role as the Title Partner of the tournament, now branded as Khaleeji Zain 26 for the second consecutive time. Kuwait will host this historic sporting event for the fifth time in its history, and Zain warmly welcomes Gulf teams and delegations to this premier regional event.

Through this partnership, Zain is reaffirming its commitment to supporting major sporting events, enhancing Kuwait’s position as a key player in regional sports, boosting the development of football among the youth.

This marks the second time the tournament will carry the Khaleeji Zain name, following the previous edition, Khaleeji Zain 25, held in Basra, Iraq, in 2022-23, which celebrated the tournament’s silver jubilee. The 2022-23 edition saw Iraq win the championship, drawing a significant fan response.