The Whisperer

A 5-a-side charity tournament was hosted by Arsenal Soccer Schools Bahrain in aid of The Arsenal Foundation Charity, which inspires young people from under privileged backgrounds to become involved in sport.

The format of the tournament consisted of eight players, aged 9-11 per squad, with 11 teams, split up into three groups and raised a staggering BD500 for the cause.

The final was played between Spain and Shooting Stars, with one goal settling the game in favour of the Shooting Stars, scored by Vince Vrijhof. There were many chances for Spain to make a comeback but Shooting Stars managed to hold out for the Cup Final victory, partly due to Talal Al Ansari’s inspired goalkeeping.

But don’t be too sad … the real Spain will probably win the real cup in a fortnight’s time!
After the children’s tournament, there was one additional medal presented to five-year-old Faisal Masseh who wanted to support the charity as well as his big brother, Abdulla, 11.

Showing true Bahraini entrepreneurial spirit, Faisal arrived with two large flasks of lemonade and watermelon juice, which he sold in cups to the thirsty players at 200 fils a time and donated a further BD30 to the pot.

The Whisperer would like to add that continuing the charitable spirit, the soccer school also allowed students to wear any national team jersey to celebrate the opening of the FIFA World Cup for a BD1 donation.

All money raised this week will be donated to local charities around Bahrain as well as contributing to a purchase of a new kit for one of the soccer school’s students who lost his in a house fire at Barbar, along with everything else.

In fact, it’s heartening to hear that fund-raising is continuing to help the families caught up in the compound fire with various events being organised by parents at the British School of Bahrain and St Christopher’s School.

It just goes to show that the community spirit is alive and well in the kingdom.