Football lovers head to Europe
Feb 09, 2013 (Menafn – Gulf Daily News – McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) –FOOTBALL fans in Bahrain have been snapping up travel packages for this week’s Champions League matches.
More than 100 Bahrainis will wave their country’s flag at some of the world’s most famous stadiums including Estadio Santiago Bernabeu — home of Spanish team Real Madrid, Camp Nou of FC Barcelona, Old Trafford of Manchester United, Juventus Stadium in Turin and AC Milan’s San Siro Stadium.
They will watch their favourite teams battle it out on the field to edge through the round of 16 of the Uefa tournament.
The travel packages have been specifically designed for football supporters and were the brainchild of Bahraini Maitham Hammad, who established Unico Tours to cater to the needs of sports fans.
The Barcelona enthusiast has become the sole distributor of tickets for European football matches to travel agents across the GCC.
His company also offers transportation, accommodation and tours of a stadium prior to game day for Bahrainis and Gulf nationals.
“It all started with me dreaming to go to a Barcelona league match three years back and when that happened I asked myself why can’t I become an agent for match tickets in Bahrain and sell to anyone interested to go and watch their team play in Spain,” Mr Hammad told the GDN.
“At the beginning, it was slow because people never thought there were genuine tickets on sale here.
“Then when business picked up — through travel agents and friends that I sell tickets to — and with interests from many to go to a diverse range of matches across Europe I decided to expand match tickets on offer to include Italy, England, Germany and many others.”
Mr Hammad said the majority of Bahrainis have booked packages for the tournament’s biggest clashes, including Real Madrid versus Manchester United and AC Milan versus Barcelona.
“The four-day package include everything from tours inside the city and stadium, accommodation, airfare costs between BD350 and BD600 depending on the match and the venue,” he explained.
“The two highest booked matches for the first leg of the Uefa Champions League is Real Madrid versus Manchester United and AC Milan versus Barcelona.
“The numbers have reached 100 people, including couples, who have everything confirmed and have a valid visa.
“Bookings are open for the second leg, but people don’t know their schedules during the week, so many leave it until 10 days before it’s due.”
Every group travelling abroad will also get a free Bahraini flag, which they will wave on game day.
Meanwhile, Bahraini Hamad Al Mahmeed told the GDN he will travel to Madrid with three friends to cheer on their team against English giants Manchester United.
“This is not my first time to go to Madrid and previously we travelled to watch matches in more difficult arrangements. This is our first time to go with Unico after discovering they sold cheaper packages than doing all the travel arrangements ourselves,” said the 24-year-old Real Madrid fan.
“We paid extra to get better seats and for sure we will be waving the Bahraini flag high and proud.”
The banter has already started between two rival fans, who will also travel to the Spanish city.
Bahraini Ali Ahmed, 20, and 18-year-old Ali Engineer will travel to a European country for the first time next week.
“I am a Manchester United supporter and my friend is a Madrid fan so we have already started bets on who will win the game,” said Mr Ahmed.
“It will be the first time we both travel to a European country and to watch our teams play in one of the biggest stadiums in the world is incredible and something we could have never imagined.
“We are counting down the days to when we see our football heroes play before our eyes.”
Juventus fan Yousif Khalid, 25, will travel to Turin with his friend Mohammed Talib, 24, for the second leg of the tournament to watch his team play Celtic.
“I am eager to go to Turin and cheer for my favourite team. I grew up loving Juve and to finally get the chance to watch them play at home is something I have always dreamed of,” said Mr Khalid.
“I really hope we pass to the quarter finals of the tournament because that would make our trip to Italy an unforgettable one.”
A website for Unico Tours will be launched next month, where sports fans can purchase travel packages for European league games and other football tournaments online.
For more information, contact Mr Hammad on 33012121 or visit Unicotours on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
SCHEDULE
Uefa Champions league Round of 16 matches (1st leg):
All games will be played at 10.45pm, Bahrain time.
February 12
Celtic vs Juventus
Valencia vs PSG
February 13
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Dortmund
Real Madrid vs Manchester United
February 19
Porto vs Mlaga
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
February 20
Galatasaray vs Schalke
AC Milan vs Barcelona
The second leg will be played on March 5 and 6 for the teams that go head to head on February 12 and 13, while those who play on February 19 and 20 will meet once again on March 12 and 13 respectively.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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