HM the King’s Representative for Charity Work and Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has conveyed the congratulations of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to the players of the Bahrain National Football team on winning the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship 2019, after beating hosts, Iraq, in the final. HH Shaikh Nasser affirmed HM the King’s deep pride in the national team’s outstanding victory that earned the gold medal for the kingdom in the ‘Golden Era’ of Bahraini sports. This came as HH Shaikh Nasser welcomed the national team on their victorious return home from Iraq at the Bahrain International Airport.
First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) and Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) President, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Youth and Sports Affairs Minister, Ayman bin Tawfiq Al-Moayyad, SCYS’s Assistant Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulrahman Sadiq Askar and BOC Secretary-General, Mohammed Hassan Al-Nusuf, as well as Bahrain Football Association (BFA) President, Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, and board members were present. HH Shaikh Nasser congratulated the players, and described them as the best ambassadors for their country at the regional tournament, noting that they have proved that Bahrainis’ metal is gold and always aim for gold. HH Shaikh Nasser expressed pleasure at the players’ excellent performance and dedication throughout the tournament, adding that their high morale will stimulate them to attain better results at the coming international championships and gatherings.
HH Shaikh Nasser highlighted keenness to support the national team at the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship 2019 through providing it with the all the success requirements in order to identify the real level of the team and prepare for the future competitions, such as the qualifiers of the World Cup 2022 and the AFC Cup 2023. Youth Minister expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to HH Shaikh Nasser for his constant support for the national team before and during the tournament, which, he said, enabled it to improve its performance and clinch the first place. He asserted that the distinguished performance showcased by the team during the tournament will help it do well at the World Cup and AFC Cup qualifiers.
BFA President extended heartfelt congratulations to HM the King, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, on Bahrain’s winning the ninth West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship. BFA chief stressed that the exploit is the outcome of the support of HM King Hamad for the sports sector in Bahrain, noting that it adds to the accomplishments of the national team during the Golden Era of sports in Bahrain. Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa paid tribute to HH Shaikh Nasser and HH Shaikh Khalid for their constant support for the national football team, in particular, and the Bahraini youth and sports movement in the kingdom, in general.
He also praised the players’ distinguished performance and commended the efforts exerted by the administrative and technical staff. The Captain of the national football team, Sayed Mohammed Jaffar, expressed, on behalf of the players, sincere thanks and appreciation to HH Shaikh Nasser and HH Shaikh Khalid for their constant support for the team. He affirmed that the ultimate goal for the team was to translate HH Shaikh Nasser’s ‘Gold Only’ slogan into the ground through winning the tournament’s trophy. He extended thanks to all his teammates for the great achievement, pledging to perform well during the upcoming competitions.
