Finance
Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the opening ceremony of the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait as the ‘Guest of Honour.
PM Modi arrived in Kuwait on Saturday afternoon, making him the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Gulf nation in 43 years.
The Prime Minister shared glimpses of his visit on social media and said the grand sporting event “celebrates the spirit of football in the region”.
“Attended the opening ceremony of the Arabian Gulf Cup. This grand sporting event celebrates the spirit of football in the region. I thank His Highness Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Amir of Kuwait, for inviting me to witness this event,” PM shared on X.
Kuwait is hosting the biennial Arabian Gulf Cup, which will feature eight countries, including the GCC, Iraq, and Yemen. This football tournament is one of the most important sporting events in the region. Kuwait has won the competition the most times among the participant countries.
Kuwait and Oman drew 1-1 in the football championship’s opening match.
The Kuwait national team failed to capitalize on its lead in front of its fans at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, when Yousef Nasser scored in the 34th minute.
Oman equalised in the 42nd minute with a goal from Issam Al-Subhi, giving each team a point at the start of their Group One voyage.
The Kuwaiti national team also failed to break a historical barrier, having not defeated its Omani counterpart in 26 years, since winning 5-1 on November 9, 1998 in the 14th Gulf Championship.
After that, Oman won ten games and the two teams tied five times in various continental and Gulf tournaments.
Kuwait will play its second encounter against the UAE next Tuesday, while Oman will face Qatar, the Asian Cup champions in the last two seasons.
Source: IANS
