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Iraq football team feted in Dubai

DUBAI — Over 5,000 Iraqi fans and others celebrated the historic Asian Cup victory of their football team at Al Ahli Club’s indoor hall yesterday.

Hundreds more of jubilant fans, which included women and children, danced to the beat of drums and sang outside the venue. The crowd caused a traffic snarl-up on most of the roads leading to the Al Ahli Club in the Al Qusais area. Cars with fans waving Iraqi flags moved slowly through the crowds of fans.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, granted Dh20 million to the players, administrative and technical staff of the Iraqi team. Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Free Zone Authority for Technology and Media, distributed awards among players and team officials.

Also present at the glittering ceremony were Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group, Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, and leading sports officials.

The UAE fans also joined the celebrations. The great success in the Asian Cup led many here to believe that despite sectarian differences the country could overcome its political problems.

When asked how eleven players have achieved what the politicians were unable to attain, Iraqi Ambassador to the UAE Faris Al Yawer said because Iraq has more than eleven politicians.

“I think the message has been received and things will improve for the better,” he told reporters at the venue.

The organisers apologised that bad weather forced them not to hold celebrations at the football stadium and expressed regrets for inconvenience.

“We set up giant TV screens for fans to watch the celebrations from outside the hall,” said Ebrahim Abdul Malik, secretary-general of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare.