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FOOTBALL fever is gripping the nation and many fans are searching for places to gather to watch the action.
It’s not as easy as in previous years as the FIFA World Cup partly coincides with Ramadan and some of the matches are being played in the early hours of the morning.
The British Club of Bahrain is hoping to entice supporters to check out its facilities at Um Al Hassam by offering a special 50-day passport that allows non-members to enter and join the crowd watching the action.
David Endall, the club’s general manager, said: “The passport is a great way to experience our sports and social facilities as it’s valid during the full opening hours.”
The passport is priced at BD75 for singles and BD100 for families, allowing members to save more than 25 per cent on the normal guest fee and is valid from the first match all the way till Eid-al-Fitr, which is tomorrow to July 31.
Aside from catching every game live, the club has many facilities for new members to enjoy, from its massive clubhouse to its swimming pool, tennis, multipurpose and squash courts.
The club also houses indoor badminton courts and a health club. The food and beverage venues include the Ascot restaurant and outdoor dining by the pool or on the grass.
Mr Endall said: “The coffee shop and lounge are currently undergoing a complete refurbishment, bringing a comfortable and contemporary vibe inside and doubling the dining area with a new outdoor terrace for everyone to enjoy from the end of August.”
When the World Cup is over, the passport holders can convert their temporary access into a full-time membership. Existing members continue to benefit by receiving a BD20 gift voucher for every new member they introduce.
The island’s hotels are also being innovative when it comes to catering for families during Ramadan with Iftar and Ghabga buffets and making sure soccer fanatics can enjoy the facilities too.
The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa is kicking off the World Cup with a Brazilian-themed party at Overlook at 8pm tomorrow with music, prizes and goals.
Al Areen Palace & Spa will show matches on a mega-screen inside a grandiose tent with a prize raffle draw for fans.
Rahim Abu Omar, Gulf Hotel’s general manager, said: “We take the opportunity to welcome the two unique seasons, which is the Holy Month of Ramadan and the famous FIFA World Cup.
“As the World Cup will officially begin before Ramadan, our Sherlock Holmes venue will feature the games on our seven TV screens and three projectors.
“During the holy month, we shall be extending our Khaimat Al Khaleej tent offering the traditional Ghabga and a screen projector to show the games. The tradition of Ramadan gathering usually extends late in the evenings which will go perfectly with the scheduled late timings of the matches.”
The team members of the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa are urging fans to join them at ‘one of the biggest venues in Bahrain’ to enjoy the action in a specially set-up tent.
Director of spa & recreation Moussa Lahiali said: “We’re very pleased to be a part of the kingdom’s celebrations and delighted to offer a venue for the residents of Bahrain and the surrounding GCC countries to experience the excitement and thrills of the FIFA 2014 World Cup.
“The tournament and football itself has grown from humble roots to a global phenomenon with players that used to be known only to their surrounding towns and villages now being celebrated halfway across the globe, it’s a sport that so many of our guests love so much.
“We wanted to create something within the hotel for our guests to truly enjoy, bringing them an experience of unique luxury and magnifique cuisine combined with this great event which we know a vast number of our guests will wish to enjoy watching.”
Moussa, however, is not ready yet to predict who will raise the trophy aloft. “I’m going to hold off commenting on that until the matches get started and we see how the teams are doing,” he said. “There are some excellent countries in the running and I’m looking forward to some spectacular games.”
The Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre will be showing all the matches on a big screen in its Bizarre Lounge.
Check out the hotel’s Just for Kicks Facebook campaign from tomorrow too for a prize contest.
The Royal Golf Club in Riffa Views is also offering private rooms boasting spectacular views of the golf course and private terraces for those wishing to host big game viewing parties with football fare on the menu.
