Date: 28-10-2008 -TWENTY-SIX players from Bahrains national football squad were yesterday handed the keys to their new homes, built as a gift from His Majesty King Hamad.

The keys to the homes, all in Salmabad, were presented to the players at a ceremony held at the Bahrain National Stadium, under the patronage of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

The event was organised by the Royal Court and the Housing Ministry and the General Organisation for Youth and Sports (Goys).

Housing Minister Shaikh Ibrahim bin Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, other dignitaries and guests also attended.

Shaikh Nasser said the homes were given as part of the many grants made by the King to help the community.

(It aims to reduce the burden and provide suitable housing, to guarantee family stability to all citizens, he said.

(Presenting these housing units is an indication of His Majestys directives and the governments support to its citizens.)

Shaikh Nasser said that the ceremony was a good step towards appreciating those citizens who have given and achieved so much for the kingdom.

(These units have been given to the kingdoms youth, who have made a lot of effort in sports and deserve King Hamads grant, he said.

(This is an occasion to bless all those who have benefited from this project and wish them wellbeing and success in the future.)

(I would like to thank all those who have put in a lot of effort to ensure the implementation of the project.)

Recognition

The houses are in recognition of the squads performance in coming so close to qualifying for a place in the 2006 World Cup.

In October 2005, Bahrain entered a two-legged play-off with Uzbekistan, which they won due to away goals with an aggregate score of 1-1.

This win allowed Bahrain to enter another two-legged play-off with the fourth placed Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) nation, (Trinidad and Tobago), for a spot in the World Cup.

But a 0-1 Bahrain loss in Manama after a 1-1 draw in Port of Spain, saw the CONCACAF nation go through.