Gulf Air launches football training programme for Bahrainis

Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air, the shirt sponsor of London-based Queen's Park Rangers (QPR) Football Club, has launched a football training initiative as part of its ongoing commitment to the people of Bahrain.

Kicking off the initiative, Gulf Air has announced a special five-day football coaching camp that will run from 30 Nov to 4 December 08. Professional coaches from QPR will be flying down to Bahrain to run the camp at Gulf Air Club, Isa Town.

The camp will provide the children of Gulf Air employees and those from the local community with the opportunity to improve their football skills with some of the UK’s best coaches and there is no fee to join the camp.

"When we signed the agreement with QPR we promised to leverage the sponsorship benefits to support and promote grass root football in the kingdom of Bahrain," says Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Mr. Björn Näf.

"This initiative is a demonstration of our commitment to the local community and what better opportunity can there be than getting trained by the best coaches from QPR, one of the most well known clubs in professional football?"

Football is arguably the favourite sport of Bahrainis and this training camp is just the beginning of several other initiatives that Gulf Air will be bringing to promote sporting talent in Bahrain. We are confident these opportunities will help develop the wealth of football talent already in the Kingdom and perhaps we might even find the Beckham of Bahrain!" concluded Mr. Näf.

QPR Managing Director, Mr. Alejandro Agag said: "We have been planning a number of grass root football initiatives with Gulf Air and are delighted to begin with the launch of the football coaching camp this December. Our team of professional coaches are really excited about having the opportunity to come to Bahrain and coach young Bahraini talent."

Football is a sport that can be enjoyed all over the world, by children of all ages, levels and nationalities. The camps will help build the children's confidence, boost motivation and encourage team work besides creating future football stars from the Kingdom."

The camp has been divided into four age groups (5-7, 8-10, 11-12 and 13-15 years) and it is open to both male and female children.

Details of how to enroll for the public will be published in due course.