Arab World Cup hopes in the safe hands of Gulf Air

Bahrain's national football team departed today on a specially operated Gulf Air flight from Bahrain to Wellington to play next Saturday's decisive game against New Zealand which if they win, will secure them a place in the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.

The team will first fly to Sydney, Australia, where they will spend three days acclimatising and taking part in final training sessions. On 12 November, Gulf Air will fly them onwards to their final destination, Wellington, New Zealand.

The team was given a warm send-off from Bahrain International Airport this morning at 0800hrs. Speaking to the team at the departure lounge, Gulf Air Chief Executive Mr Samer Majali said: “Gulf Air is very proud to be the official carrier of Bahrain’s National Football Team. You have worked very hard to get here today and you have the support of the entire Kingdom willing you to successfully cross this final hurdle and gain a place in the World Cup in South Africa next year.

“Your success will be a historic moment for Bahrain. Football is, without doubt, the Kingdom’s favourite sport and whatever the result maybe in New Zealand, I can assure you that Gulf Air is committed to supporting the game at all levels, from the grassroots up to you, the national team. And should you be victorious in Wellington, I can also assure you that Gulf Air will make special arrangements to fly you and your supporters out to South Africa for the event.”

A win or score draw is all that is needed for Bahrain national football team to create history and compete in its first ever World Cup Finals tournament.

Bahrain Football Association Vice President Sheikh Ali Bin Khalifa Al-khalifa said: “I would first like to take this opportunity to thank Gulf Air for its support of the national football team. The team could not have asked for better preparation for such a match than to be flown out by their national airline enabling them to feel completely at home and relaxed before such a big game.

Gulf Air itself had preparation and special training to complete before the historic flight. Wellington airport is known for having quite a tight runway so Gulf Air pilots have been practicing approaches and landings in the Gulf Air simulators at Muharraq and the pilots have visited New Zealand and sat in the jump seats of Air New Zealand aircraft making the flight from Aukland to ensure they are completely familiar with the airport.