Part of the press conference for the Gulf Legends Championship.

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 11: Mohsen Musabah, member of the Old Players Committee of the Arabian Gulf Cup Football Federation and former UAE national team goalkeeper, revealed the financial rewards for the upcoming "Gulf Legends" Championship, set to take place at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium from February 22-26.

Musabah confirmed that the champion of the tournament will receive a prize of $200,000, while the runner-up will earn $150,000. In addition, all participating teams will be rewarded with a financial incentive for each match played.

This announcement came during a press conference, where Musabah also explained a change in the tournament’s name. He noted that some retired players from recent years had not been referred to as "legends," thus providing an opportunity for all former players to participate in this competitive event, which will be held for the first time.

The championship is set to continue in the future, with plans for it to accompany all Gulf championships. The inaugural event will coincide with the 27th Gulf Championship, set to take place in Saudi Arabia.

Musabah also emphasized that financial rewards are not limited to the participating teams. The tournament will honor the best player, top scorer, and best goalkeeper with a prize of 150,000 Qatari riyals each. Additionally, he responded to a question regarding ticket pricing, stating that the decision lies with the Kuwait Football Association. From his perspective, he believes that offering free entry would allow more fans to enjoy the event, especially those celebrating Kuwait’s national holidays, which could further boost attendance at the Gulf Cup for veteran players.

Hassan Matar Al-Suwaidi, head of the Old Players Committee, expressed gratitude to the State of Kuwait for hosting the event, which will take place from February 22-26 at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium in Al-Sulaibikhat Club. He also thanked Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, the Qatari Minister of Sports and Youth and President of the Gulf Federation, for initiating the idea of holding the tournament.

Al-Suwaidi further explained that the tournament was initially scheduled to coincide with the 26th Gulf Cup hosted by Kuwait from December 21 to January 4, but it was postponed to align with Kuwait’s national holidays. He announced that the tournament will feature four matches per day, with each match lasting 40 minutes, divided into two 20-minute halves. Teams will also be permitted substitutions to avoid injuries during play.

Finally, Al-Suwaidi confirmed that the tournament’s name had been changed from the Gulf Legends Championship to the Gulf Cup for Veterans to reflect its inclusive nature for all former players who participated in previous Gulf competitions. Therefore, the event is open to more than just "legends."

By Hassan Mosa

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff