BAGHDAD, Dec 27: People from Iraq’s southern province of Basra have welcomed Gulf fans who are going to attend the upcoming 25th football Gulf Cup, dubbed “Gulf 25”, which is due in Basra between January 6-19, 2023. The annual championship is widely deemed an opportunity to push forward cooperative relations between Iraq, Yemen and the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Speaking to KUNA in this context, Abu Al-Hasan Al-Eidani, an Iraqi doctor who is interested in sports in general, believed that Gulf 25 would secure an unprecedented opportunity for Gulf young people to come together in Basra, which refl ects Gulf history and culture. Voicing much rejoicing over the tournament, Al-Eidani said the Gulf event would unquestionably break a decades-long psychological barrier between the Gulf people and their Iraqi brothers.

“Unlike what is being reported by mass media, Gulf fans are to be most welcome to Basra houses, before hotels,” said the young doctor. Anwar Adel, a teacher, said Basra would regard the event as a significant occasion for people from all Gulf countries to strengthen bonds of brotherhood and solidarity following years of estrangement and rupture. Anwar, 35, said although he is not very interested in sports in general and football in particular, he and so many others were greatly impressed by the infl ow of Gulf fans and cheerful atmosphere in Basra.

Also speaking to KUNA, he vowed that all Gulf guests would undoubtedly see the most wonderful sentiments of greeting, warm welcome and hospitality in Basra. Sheikh Kathem Al-Sereifi, a chief tribesman of Basra, was quoted as saying that he is so willing and happy to welcome Gulf official delegations and football fans to his spacious house. He said that all of them would be so welcome to Basra which, he affirmed, enjoys security and stability and is a successful investment destination. Meanwhile, Basra-based Al-Maqal Sport Club, which plays in Iraq Division Three, said it is ready to open its doors for the guests of Gulf countries and serve three meals every day during the days of the major Gulf event.

Furthermore, many Iraqi people have aired a lot of posts on social media voicing feelings of greeting and warm welcome for Gulf guests coming to attend the matches of the upcoming 25th football Gulf Cup. Iraqi actors Mohammad Hashem and Mahmoud Abu Al-Abbas also aired a video clip greeting the guests of the Gulf 25 to the Iraqi city of Basra, which, they maintained, is a city of safety, amity, peace and goodness. Basra Governorate’s Spokesman Mouin Al-Hassan was quoted in a press statement the city, with all its hotels and facilities, has completely geared up for the Gulf sports tournament, with all security organs in Basra being deployed in order to ensure smooth traffic during the event. (KUNA)