Khalifa Sports City Football Stadium will today host two matches of the second edition of Nasser bin Hamad Ramadan Sports Games - Nasser 9.
In the first game, scheduled for 6pm, Al Museef team faces a tricky challenge against Majestic Cars. The second match, set to begin at 8.15pm, will see Forever team clash with Al Nawayef.
The Majestic Cars team, coached by Hussain Ayyad, will be looking to improve on their last year’s performance where they were knocked out at the group stage.
A victory in the first game will give a much-needed boost to the team’s morale and ensure they go into the next match in high spirits and focused on securing a berth in the next round.
The team looks strong with the inclusion of several professional players, led by former Sitra Club player Sadiq Marhoon and Sa’ad Al Amer.
Al Museef, coached by Khalid Ismail, will also be aiming for three points from this game as a win will boost their chances of making it to the second round.
The second match between Forever and Al Nawayef is considered a heavyweight showdown as both are tipped strong contenders for the title.
Forever, coached by Salah Habib, a Bahraini national coach, are also keen to make a flying start.
Meanwhile, Shaikh Nasser Championship enters its ninth edition amid high expectations from all the participating teams.
In eight editions of the championship so far, only four teams have won the title and they are Al Zilzal, Al Fakhar, Victorious and Al Nawayef.
But going by current indications the forecast is that the audience can expect to see a new champion this year.
Forever are one of the leading contenders to win their maiden title. Nomas too are optimistic of their chances following their impressive performance last year. Al Wehda are another team full of confidence.
This year’s edition also sees many ex-international players and professional stars, including overseas players, clashing against each other. Among them is Bahrain international Mohammed Hussain - who plays for leading Saudi club Al Nasser - in addition to compatriot Mahmood “Ringo” Abdulrahman and ex-Bahrain international Abdullah Al Marzouqi.
Brazilian Diego and Ghanaian Mamado top the list among the foreign players competing in the tournament.
Another attraction this year is a tournament for junior players from various football academies in Bahrain as per the directives of Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, chairman of Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and president of Bahrain Olympic Committee Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
Tikers Team, Super Team, Kick Off Team and Arsenal are in Group one. The preliminary round will be held on June 15 and 16 with Super clashing with Tikers at 9.30pm while Champions play Real Madrid at 9.55pm, followed by matches between Arsenal and Kick Off, Winners and Discovery, Kick Off and Tikers and Discovery and Real Madrid.
The next days’ matches at the same time features: Super vs Arsenal, Champions vs Winners, Super vs Kick Off, Champions vs Discovery, Tikers vs Arsenal and Real Madrid vs Winners.
The final rounds will take place on June 19.
The Head of the Organising Committee Tawfeeq Salehi added that several Instagram users will be covering the matches.
Among the accounts covering the event are bsn.bh, sayed_almala3id, 9ward.mla3b.bh, football.bh, basketball_bh, ala7mar, alhakam_bh.
The Organising Committee have also opened a WhatsApp account (36641966) where tournament details will be uploaded periodically.
Fans can also follow the tournament on the official account of Shaikh Nasser Media and Information Office - brnmediaoffice and the tournament’s official Instagram account nasser9.bh or the official Youtube page brnmedia and Shaikh Nasser’s official website www.nasseralkhalifa.bh.