KUWAIT: The Arabian Gulf Cup Football Championship (Khaleeji Zain 26) competitions commenced on Saturday evening at Jaber International Stadium. The event featured a spectacular opening ceremony that showcased artistic performances reflecting both the Gulf heritage of the past and the vision for the future. The ceremony began with an inspiring speech by the tournament sponsor, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, followed by the national anthem of Kuwait.

Throughout the opening ceremony, the lives of the people of Kuwait and other Gulf countries were depicted, focusing on their historical relationship with the sea, which served as a source of livelihood for previous generations. Desert life, symbolized by the camel, was also highlighted in a captivating presentation that embraced the tournament’s slogan: “The Future is Gulf.” The event showcased stunning artistic displays that represented the ancient heritage of the Arab Gulf countries, infused with modern artistic elements that conveyed a unified Gulf vision for a bright future. Notably, Gulf boats were featured, symbolizing the region’s present and future. The ceremony merged traditional Gulf folk arts with modern technology, engagingly presenting a common Gulf identity.

Kuwaiti artist Bashar Al-Shatti and Saudi artist Ayed performed a beautiful artistic operetta set against vibrant backgrounds featuring the championship cup, coffee pot, and incense burner. The event conveyed powerful messages through visual displays that illustrated the unity of the Gulf’s destiny and the shared vision connecting the region’s peoples under one banner. It concluded with a stunning fireworks display that captivated the audience.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Saturday received, at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Attending the audience were His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, GCC countries’ ministers of sports and youth and heads of sports unions partaking and attending the Arabian Gulf Cup tournament (Khaleeji Zain 26).

Earlier, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah on Saturday toured Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium inspecting the final preparations for launch of the Arabian Gulf Cup tournament, Khaleeji 26. The Ministry of Interior said in a statement that the tour included examination of the mobile central operation room to check coordination mechanisms among the field teams.

Sheikh Fahad, who also checked the gates, affirmed in a statement necessity of boosting cooperation among all the parties involved in organizing the tournament, urged the personnel to abide by the set plans and maintain a team work spirit. He lauded efforts by the security personnel and the organizers, affirming that the interior ministry provided all available human and technical resources to ensure the sport event safety.

Amid an atmosphere of high patriotism and enthusiasm, Jaber Al-Ahmad International Sport Stadium witnessed inflow of thousands of football fans, watching the inauguration of the Arabian Gulf Cup tournament (Khaleeji Zain 26), which followed shortly with a match between Kuwait and Oman.

Amid the flattering Kuwait flags and the fans’ chants echoing across the vast modern stadium, the football enthusiasts queued in long lines en route to the seats. Kuwaitis, individuals and families, came in clad in the national team blue t-shirt cheering the national team ahead of its first encounter in the Gulf championship. — KUNA