Gulf Cup in Kuwait postponed

Dubai: The Gulf Cup of Nations has been postponed for one year following a request from hosts Kuwait, it was announced on Monday.

The biennual eight-nation football tournament featuring the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen, was due to be played from December 22 to January 4. But it is now scheduled for the end of 2016, or early 2017.

Kuwait cited needing more time to complete their preparations as the official reason for the postponement.

Shaikh Talal Al Fahd, President of the Kuwaiti Football Federation, said: “The problem is stadiums need maintenance and the lighting in stadiums is weak. It will need four months to maintain. The decision to delay [the tournament] was met with approval and consensus.”