UAE officials gift national football team $24 mln for winning the Gulf Cup

UAE officials have gifted the country’s football national team about $24 million for winning their second ever Gulf Cup after beating Iraq (2-1), a local newspaper reported on Saturday.

President Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan gifted the national team $14 million for winning the 21st Gulf Cup in Bahrain on Friday, Gulf News reported.

“We all have to stand by the team and develop their abilities and skills to hold the UAE flag high in all regional and international sports events,” Shaikh Khalifa told the team members when he met with them.

Meanwhile, Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, granted the team around $7 million.

Also, sons of Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, Shaikh Hamdam Bin Rashid al Maktoum, expressed their appreciation to the team’s effort, with Shaikh Rashid and Shaikh Saeed offering $3.3 million in “appreciation of the achievement made by the team,” Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The UAE won against the former Asian champion Iraq (2-1) in extra-time to claim their second Gulf Cup title.

The second goal was scored by the substitute, Ismail Al-Hammadi, in the 107th minute.

The tournament, which was shifted from Iraq to Bahrain for safety reasons, was held without incidents despite daily anti-government protests on the island nation.