GCC, OIC Chiefs Congratulate Saudi Arabia on Hosting 2027 Asian Cup

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and the Saudi delegation are seen along with the Asian Nations Cup. Photo: Essa Doubisi
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and the Saudi delegation are seen along with the Asian Nations Cup. Photo: Essa Doubisi
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GCC, OIC Chiefs Congratulate Saudi Arabia on Hosting 2027 Asian Cup

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and the Saudi delegation are seen along with the Asian Nations Cup. Photo: Essa Doubisi
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and the Saudi delegation are seen along with the Asian Nations Cup. Photo: Essa Doubisi

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi has congratulated Saudi Arabia on the Kingdom’s selection as host of the Asian Nations Cup 2027.

Albudaiwi expressed pride in the Kingdom, saying that hosting the Asian tournament is proof of Saudi Arabia’s ability to organize major international events.

He also hailed hosting the Asian Nations Cup in Saudi Arabia as another major event to be added to the list of achievements of the GCC countries.

The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, also congratulated the Kingdom.

He affirmed that Saudi Arabia is able to organize an exceptional and historic edition of the Asian Nations Cup because of its extensive experience and great potential to host international events, in accordance with Vision 2030.

The General Assembly of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Friday officially announced that Saudi Arabia won the bid to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 for the first time in its history.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, the Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympics and Paralympics Committee, extended his gratitude and appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their unlimited support for the Kingdom's bid to host the event.

President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation Yasser Al-Misehal also praised the major support granted to the bid to host the tournament.



South Korea Expresses Regret after Its Athletes Introduced as North Korea at Opening Ceremony

 Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
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South Korea Expresses Regret after Its Athletes Introduced as North Korea at Opening Ceremony

 Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)
Athletes of South Korea travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP)

South Korea expressed regret that its delegation of athletes at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on Friday was introduced as from rival North Korea and has demanded assurances from organizers the mistake will not happen again.

As the boat carrying South Korean athletes passed on the Seine, the announcer introduced them as the "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" - the official name of North Korea - in French and English.

The announcer used the same introduction when the North Korean delegation passed.

South Korea's vice minister for sports and culture, Jang Mi-ran, who was in Paris, had requested a meeting with International Olympics Committee President Thomas Bach, the ministry said in a statement.

"We express regret that the country was introduced as North Korea at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games when the athletes of the Republic of Korea were entering," it said.

South Korea's National Olympic Committee immediately referred the incident to the Games' organizers and requested that the error will not be repeated.

South Korea's delegation includes 143 athletes competing in 21 events. North Korea, which is returning to the Games for the first time since Rio 2016, has sent 16 athletes.