DOHA (Qatar): The iconic Khalifa International Stadium wears a festive look as it gets ready to host the inaugural match of the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup on Tuesday (November 26).
Asian Cup champions and hosts Qatar will take on Iraq in the tournament opener at 7.30pm (local time) followed by Yemen and UAE at 9.30pm at the FIFA World Cup venue.
The preparations are in full swing as Qatar geared up to host the region’s most popular football tournament from November 26.
The 12,000-capacity Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium (Al Duhail) will be the other venue.
Demand for tickets on rise
Over 35,000 tickets have already been sold, according to Khalid Mubarak Al Kuwari, Director of Marketing for the Local Organising Committee.
The LOC announced that pre-match activities for the opening game will begin three hours before kick-off, with over 900 people assigned to help fans in and around the stadiums – 500 of them are volunteers.
Al Kuwari also disclosed that preparations, activities and security measures to ensure a successful Gulf Cup have been put in place by the LOC.
“Fans have been buying tickets across the available platforms, online and in malls across Qatar as well as in Kuwait and Oman. We’ve sold 35,000 tickets and fans from the region as well as from the US and Germany are expected to attend the competition,” said Al Kuwari.
Cultural activities for fans
The Ministry of Culture and Sports have also lined up several activities for fans, ranging from exhibitions, theatre shows and more.
“This Cup is important. We have prepared several activities. There will be entertainment events featuring 30 Qatari artists as well as more from around the region.
There will also be folklore bands, mini-marathons, artefacts exhibitions and majlis for fans,” said director of Culture and Arts Department at the Ministry of Culture and Sports Hamad Mohammed Al Zakiba.
Gulf Cup mascot Sodeifi
Last week, the promotion campaigns started after the mascot (Sodeifi) was unveiled.
The mascot was on a tour of Oman and Kuwait to promote the tournament.
“We are prepared to cater to the needs of fans and we urge them to buy tickets as early as possible.
“Those who have bought tickets through our online platform can access parking lots through a barcode on the tickets. This has been done to ease traffic for the fans,” said Al Kuwari.
Nice update madam as Kenyans we shall attend