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MAC OF THE DAY!

May 19 - 25, 2010
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Gulf Weekly MAC OF THE DAY!

Gulf Weekly Mai Al Khatib-Camille
By Mai Al Khatib-Camille

Two young Bahraini football fans have won coveted tickets for the coming World Cup Final thanks to popping into their favourite fast food restaurant for a burger.

Hasan Majeed Sayed Ali, 20, and Hasan Mohammed Hasan Dhaif, 19, enjoyed the best bite of their lives when their names were plucked out in a 'Feed your Passion' draw for the dream prize.

They will be flown to South Africa, stay in a top hotel and watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final - the biggest sporting spectacular on the planet - courtesy of McDonald's.

Hasan Majeed, from North Sehla, said: "I cannot believe my luck!" and Hasan Mohammed, from Karzakan, a little village near Hamad Town, says he has not stopped smiling since receiving the news in a telephone call.

The delighted duo entered their names into the competition after enjoying a large value meal at their local McDonald's which attracted 20,000 entries in Bahrain alone.

The draw was attended by a representative from the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry who watched as two customers eating at the outlet on Exhibition Avenue were invited to pull out names from a packed drum.

Ali El Hajj, general manager of McDonald's Bahrain, which comes under the umbrella of the Fakhro Restaurants Company on the island, said: "As the official restaurant of the FIFA World Cup 2010 our aim was to bring the excitement and aspiration of the game to our customers in Bahrain.

"Thousands of participants rushed to our 15 outlets over the last four weeks to enter the draw of winning a dream trip to the final game. This all-expenses paid trip covers everything! We will pick them up from their homes, show them the sights and beauty of South Africa, take them to the final game and then send them home with a beautiful memory of a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Promotions took place around the world by the fast food giant and the contest locally allowed customers from the Gulf and as far as Jordan and Lebanon to participate. All the winners will meet up in June for a three-day long action-filled adventure taking in a sightseeing tour as well as the big match.

McDonald's is one of the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving nearly 47 million customers daily.

Student Hasan Majeed, who is studying multi-media, bought his 'very, very happy meal' called a 'Big Tasty' at the Alosra outlet and says he is still pinching himself to make sure he's not dreaming. "I was in the middle of a class at the University College of Bahrain when I received a call from someone I did not recognise.

"I chose to ignore it as I was in an important lecture and didn't want to get into trouble but this number kept calling over and over again. It wasn't until I reached home that I decided to call back and see who was persistently calling me. It was McDonald's!

"At first I thought it was a prank. I couldn't believe it and then, when it finally sunk in, I got on Facebook and started messaging all my friends.

"My mother didn't believe me for two whole days. Then, when I asked her for my passport she was like, this is for real, isn't it? Who knew eating a 'Big Tasty' would actually get me to South Africa!"

Hasan Mohammed, who is studying at the University of Bahrain, said: "I don't travel a lot and the opportunity to fly to Africa to watch the biggest match in world football is unbelievable."

Both lads are backing favourites Brazil to win the cup.







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