Gulf 25 opening, PM speech receive attention by Arab and International media

INA - BAGHDAD

Arab and international media continues the great interest in the Iraqi updates, at various levels, as the Gulf Football Cup Championship 25 in Basra received widespread attention.

The Arab and international media praised the opening ceremony of "Gulf 25", and the media, especially the Gulf and Egyptian ones, focused on the details of the ceremony and the statements of PM Muhammed Shia'a Al-Sudani, who inaugurated the championship with the participation of FIFA President and a number of senior Gulf officials, with remarkable interest by the Arab media in reporting details of the events surrounding the championship.

Gulf Football Cup Championship 25 
The main focus of the Arab media was on the results of the opening match between Iraq and Oman, which resulted in a tie, in addition to the match between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, which ended with the Saudi team win by 2-0.

The Arab and international media did not only focus on the sports part of launching the Gulf Cup 25, but also dealing with other aspects within the broader activities of the championship. The Arab media were keen to refer to the assurances of the Prime Minister that the Gulf Championship 25 "comes as the culmination of the Iraqis efforts in cooperation, love and brotherhood," in his tweet on Twitter in this regard.

Arab newspapers were keen to point out the congratulations of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, to the Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, on launching the championship.

The Saudi newspaper, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, considered Iraq's hosting Gulf 25 championship means looking forward to moving to a new stage in its relations with neighboring countries. 

In a report to Al-Sharq Al-Awsat entitled "Iraq returns to Arab surroundings by Gulf Championship", it included the following: "Though it is a sport, yet Iraq’s aspirations was to move to a new phase, whether in its political relations with all Gulf countries, or in terms of economic and investment relations, especially with Iraq’s start, in recent years, to develop its relations with a number of the Arab Gulf states, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, via the formation of the Iraqi-Saudi Coordination Council and the agreement to conclude a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding, in addition to the electrical connection between the two countries."

The Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram focused on the issue of the Kuwaiti delegation withdrawal from the opening ceremony of the championship due to what the newspaper attributed, quoting its Kuwaiti counterpart, Al-Qabas, to the occurrence of security chaos, as the Kuwaiti delegation was the last delegation to arrive at the Basra stadium according to the arrangements of the organizing committee, and during the entry of the delegation to the stadium  Security chaos ensued as uninvited parties entered the opening ceremony, particularly in the VIP venues. Iraqi Sports Minister Ahmed Al-Mubarqa', who was accompanying the Kuwaiti delegation, suggested that the delegation leave the stadium.

The statements of the President of the UAE Football Association, Sheikh Rashid Humaid Al-Nuaimi, included that the return of the Gulf Cup to Iraq confirms the stand of the Gulf countries with Baghdad and their support for its return to the world map, as hosting the city of Basra for the championship will help lift the ban on Iraq. This was mentioned in a number of Arab media specialized in sports matter.

The UAE newspaper Al-Ittihad, in its sports section, published an article entitled "Iraq in the Heart of the Emirates", praising "the distinguished relations between the two countries, their special and close bond that extends for decades.

The Qatari Al-Raya newspaper was keen to publish the statements of Qatar's ambassador to Iraq, Ambassador Khalid bin Hamad Al-Sulaiti, who said, "The tournament is witnessing a positive atmosphere and high organization at all levels, starting with receiving the participating delegations, preparing all logistical matters and good stadiums," pointing out that the State of Qatar has supported the championship since it was decided to be held in the Iraqi city of Basra. It has been keen to participate at the highest levels, stressing that the State of Qatar supports all steps that contribute to helping the Iraqi people in various fields, including sports.

The United Nations Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) praised Iraq's hosting the championship, and that this confirms "Iraq's ability to embrace peaceful competitions." 

The United Nations' praised for the launching the 25th Gulf Championship, and that has received remarkable attention in a group of media, including Gulf media.

Washington Post related to launching the Arab Gulf Cup Football Championship 25 hosted by the city of Basra, as the newspaper considered that this represents a rare moment of happiness and optimism for Iraqis, for that is a period of rest from all acts of violence and political, economic crises, as the championship can include “hopes of unexpected economic gains."

Al-Jazeera English website focused on the launching the Gulf 25 activities in Basra, and how this championship could represent an opportunity for Iraq to get rid of the negative image that was often associated with it as a result of years of war and civil unrest.