Dubai: Returning from an official visit to Yemen, UAE FA general secretary Yousuf Abdullah said the southern provinces of Aden and Abyan are on course to host the 20th Gulf Cup in November, despite political instability in the region.
"Things could change for better or worse by November. We hope for the better. But at the moment I don't think there is a political decision to make," said Abdullah, who returned from a two-day tour of stadiums and facilities on Monday.
He was shown the tournament's two main stadiums, a refurbished ground in Aden, and a newly built arena in Abyan, each of which could hold 30,000 spectators.
He also viewed Aden's six 5,000-seat training facilities and the city's two new hotels.
One five-star, $150 million joint Libyan and Yemeni project to house players and guests, and another four-star 190 room resort, was funded by Abu Dhabi.
In all the tournament is ready to cater for a projected 250,000 spectators from all over the GCC.
Speaking exclusively to Gulf News Hameed Al Shabainy, general secretary of the Yemen Football Association confirmed the country had spent upwards of $200 million on construction and would continue to pay $50-60 million over the course of the finals.
"Yemen is very happy and proud to host this tournament, Al Shabainy said.
"We've been trying since 1980 to bring the event here. We promise to put on a good show with full attendances and a full schedule. Everything is ready for visitors to enjoy great Yemeni hospitality."
Abdullah said: "The country needs this. It's very important that [Yemen] experiences the hosting of a major tournament."
Development of sport
He said it could prepare them for the opportunity to host more events in the future and the facilities would help the development of sport in the impoverished region.
Abdullah, who's visited Yemen four times with the panel of general secretaries from all other GCC football federations, said of his latest check-up: "In general they look well prepared and organised for the competition."
Yemen's hosting of the event has come under constant media scrutiny with doubts not only surrounding completion times of facilities, but also with the safety of players and spectators in what would be the heartland of a long-running rebel insurgency.
But Al Shabainy was defiant. "There is political diversity but everybody here loves football and everyone has agreed to receive people from wherever they come from" Al Shabainy said.
Should there be any doubt following a final approval meeting on August 22 among the heads of GCC football associations, acting upon the findings of this recent trip, the event could be postponed, cancelled or moved to second choice Bahrain.
But Al Shabainy was adamant the topic of the Gulf Cup being held anywhere else but Yemen was not open for discussion.
"It starts here on November 22. The full majority have agreed, not one rejected it," he said.
