KUWAIT CITY, Dec 24: Between the grandeur of the past and the vibrancy of the present, the Mubarakiya heritage area came alive with non-stop celebrations, music, and chants as supporters from Iraq, Yemen, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries gathered to cheer for their teams in the “Khaleeji 26” Cup. Souk Mubarakiya buzzed with excitement due to the large number of visitors who came to show their support for their teams well into the night. A team from the daily visited the festivities, where the energy was palpable, with a remarkable turnout of visitors from the Gulf countries, Iraq, and Yemen. They marveled at the preparations for the Khaleeji Cup 26 and described the atmosphere in Mubarakiya as beyond their expectations.

They praised the people of Kuwait for their generosity, high moral values, and warmth. Mohammed Al-Jabri from the UAE remarked on the unprecedented atmosphere at Mubarakiya due to the vibes of the Khaleeji Cup 26, calling it “global” and praising the exceptional organization of the event. He expressed admiration for Kuwait, saying, “Kuwait is truly beautiful, and so are its people.” Khalifa Al-Muhairi echoed the sentiment, highlighting the kindness of the Kuwaiti people, especially for providing free tickets. Marwan Al-Muhairi, also moved by the hospitality of Kuwaitis, said, “You have embarrassed us with your generosity, but this is not surprising coming from you.” Regarding the procedures and organization of the Khaleeji Cup 26 and Souk Mubarakiya, Marwan Al-Balushi praised the smooth and efficient arrangements, highlighting that the reception was excellent from the port to the stadiums. Fahad Al-Jahni from Saudi Arabia also commended the organization, calling the atmosphere in Mubarakiya wonderful.

Khaled Al-Jahni, who had not visited Kuwait in a while, expressed his excitement about returning for the Khaleeji Cup 26 to support the Saudi national team. He wished success to both the Saudi and Kuwaiti teams. Visitors from Oman, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iraq shared their happiness at being in Kuwait. They thanked the Kuwaiti government and people for their warm hospitality. They affirmed that their presence in Mubarakiya was to support their teams in the Khaleeji Cup 26. They praised the beautiful atmosphere in Kuwait and the kindness of its people. The constant presence of security personnel in Souk Mubarakiya was noted, with smiles and ensuring that fans and visitors could celebrate freely and enjoy the victories of their teams.

By Munif Naif
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff