Nasser 8 begins tomorrow

Manama, June 2 (BNA): Less than 24 hours separate us from the kick-start of the first Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Sports Games and the eighth edition of Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Football Tournament (Nasser8), which will begin tomorrow with two matches on the grounds of Khalifa Sports City in Isa Town. The championship is held under the kind patronage of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee. The opening match will be held between Majestic Car Showroom and Al Wehda teams at 5:45 pm, while title holder Victorious will play Fast Link at 8 pm. The second day of the championship will include matches between Group B teams, where Al Zilzal meets Al Fakhar and Ahlam Batelco plays Al Zaeem in the second match at 8:30 pm. Playing in Group C will be Al Maseef, who meets Al Ameed on Saturday, while Forever and Nomas play in the same group on the same day. On Sunday, the Group D matches will be held between Al Nawayef and Gunners United, followed by a match between Cobra and United Youth. Al Nawayef team began training for Nasser8 almost two months ago under the supervision of National Coach Hussain Al Onizi and his assistant Khalid Hassan. Al Nawayef Manager Mohammed Al Obaidli said the team played a set of friendly matches in preparation for the championship. Al Obaidli announced that the team contracted with professional players including Muharraq Football Club former player Al Shabab current top scorer Hussain Ali (Pele) and Al Hidd Football Club Captain Isa Al Musbah, who will certainly help the team to compete for Nasser8 title. On his part, Fast Link Team Coach Adel Salem appreciated the continuous efforts of the organising teams to hold one of the key football tournaments in the region and comes within the endeavors of HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa to improve local football. He also praised Fast Link Company for their endless support to the team. About his expectations, Salem said, "It’s hard to predict who will snatch the cup. The tournament greatly improved in the past few years and teams are now more prepared and technically fit for the competition. With a lineup of fresh talents, our team will be a difficult rival to surpass in Nasser8." Al Maseef Team Coach confirmed his team’s readiness to compete for Nasser8, clarifying that the team began fitness, tactical and technical training since last month. Al Massef played in the Shura and Representatives Councils Football Tournament recently. The team enters Nasser8 with a lineup of professional and talented youth players. In a generous initiative, Tawfeeq Ahmed Mansoor Al Aali, the approved agent of Puma Sportswear in Bahrain donated the official Nasser8 balls, which are manufactured by Puma. The initiative comes within Al Aali’s support to Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Football championships since it began eight years ago, by ensuring the participation of his team Al Fakhar every year. Bahrain Sports Channel Director Fawaz Shamsan announced that Nasser8 matches will be aired on the first and second satellite channels. Shamsan confirmed that the channel will cover the matches throughout the time of championship and will additionally provide studio analysis of the matches. The organising committee allocated valuable prices for Nasser8 audience of the football, volleyball, basketball and handball matches