Expats to the Iraqi city of Basra - which is hosting the Gulf Football Cup - praised the stadiums and the atmosphere that precedes the launch of the "Gulf 25" championship on Friday, January 6, 2023, and expected strong competition for the title among the eight participating teams.

The opening match between Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman will take place at the Basra International Stadium, which can accommodate about 60,000 spectators, and will be followed by the match between Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Prior to the start of the tournament, Al Jazeera Net conducted a survey of the opinion of expatriates from the Gulf countries and Iraqi athletes about the logistical, technical and sports preparations for the tournament in its 25th edition.

Basra is ready for Gulf 25

Sports analyst Ibrahim Al-Karrani, who is visiting Basra to attend the "Gulf 25" championship, expresses his happiness at the return of Iraq to organize the tournament again.

Al-Karrani told Al-Jazeera Net that all the logistical and technical matters of the tournament are going excellent, and Iraq was keen to deliver messages of "love and peace" to the whole world through the tournament.

In turn, the former UAE national team player, Abd al-Rahman Muhammad, who is currently in Basra, said, "The participating teams in the tournament are determined to win the championship title, as their exercises are ongoing."

Muhammad added, "The organization of the 25th Gulf Championship appears successful at first glance as a result of the solidarity of all Iraqis from the Iraqi Football Association and the Organizing Committee for the success of the tournament, which Iraq has been waiting for so long."

He stressed that security matters are completely in place in Basra and there is nothing to disturb the atmosphere of the tournament, expecting strong competition for the title and fun matches between the participating teams.

During his speech, the former player pointed out that "the tournament is important for all Iraqi provinces, not just for Basra, and it will be reflected in the best way that opens many doors for this country."

Yemeni fan Salem Al-Ansi, who lives in Saudi Arabia, said, "Basra is 100% ready to hold the tournament, and what I saw here I wished to see in Yemen."

Al-Ansi added to Al-Jazeera Net that "Basra, despite the wars and destruction it has gone through, is still full of life, and has good infrastructure, clean streets and large stadiums, such as the Palm Trunk and Port stadiums, similar to the stadiums of the Gulf states."

Al-Ansi recorded another note, which is the great generosity of the people of Basra, who compete to provide hospitality to the Gulf public through accommodation, food, or internal transportation, all of which are free of charge.

An opportunity to invest

For her part, Iraqi journalist Zainab Rabie says, "Basra is a symbol of goodness, generosity and hospitality, and this occasion is an opportunity that can be invested economically by activating the buying and selling movement and promoting products and services."

On the other hand, sports journalist Imad Al-Rikabi says, "Hosting Basra for such an event led to the renewal and redevelopment of the infrastructure in Basra by 90%, and this is what I noticed during my stay here in the city 10 days ago."

Al-Rikabi confirms - to Al-Jazeera Net - that "the Gulf Championship 25 will not only benefit Basra, but also the entire Gulf states by conveying a distinctive image to hold international tournaments in the capitals of the Gulf later."

bigger than expected

In turn, the Iraqi sports journalist, Muhammad Al-Jazaery, said, "Safety, housing, and transportation in Basra at the present time are very good and greater than expected."

The Algerian pointed out that "the prices of housing and tickets are acceptable, which is what drives many fans from inside and outside Iraq to flock to Basra to attend the matches."

He said, "For the fans who spent their time in high-end hotels, the experience was beautiful, as I see it, and for those who traveled from the provinces on a limited budget, it was excellent in Basra."

The visual researcher, Murtada Talib, is optimistic about the continuous development of Basra as a result of the establishment of the Gulf Championship 25, which would help promote the city as a tourist destination.

"Hosting the tournament will also bring another advantage to Basra through a new influx of the largest investment companies in the field of energy, water desalination and agriculture," Talib added in his statement to Al-Jazeera Net.