Wednesday 24 / April / 2024
Muscat: Injured Omani fans and their relatives have spoken of the terrifying moment a barrier collapsed at the Arab Gulf Cup final in Kuwait.
The man of the hour, goalkeeper Faiz Al Rushaidi, who saved two penalties to secure victory for Oman, said that his brother was injured when a barrier collapsed. “My four brothers were in Kuwait for the match and one of them was injured due to broken glass. He has minor injuries. He is doing fine now. He came back to Oman earlier.”
Al Husain Al Amri is one of the few injured Omanis still in hospital in Kuwait City. He was one of the dozens who fell when the barrier gave way moments after the penalty shoot-out.
Speaking to the Times of Oman from his hospital bed, he said: “The incident happened due to the high intensity of the celebrations of the crowd at the site. Players were celebrating the cup win and we were requesting the players stand still for photographs. Everyone was near the barrier. They were so excited that they only paid attention to the players and the cup, and nothing else.
"My injuries were minor and my health is improving. I have a minor hand injury and a bruise on the back and chest. But I did not suffer much, thank God. With the help of the medical staff, who was with us all the time, and the medical attention I received, I’m doing fine. I am still in the hospital. Today, a heart scan will be done just to be sure and then I will be able to leave the hospital."
After the incident, the injured were divided and sent to three different hospitals. Everyone else has been discharged, but Husain remains in the hospital. Most of the injured left on Saturday.
‘Enjoyed victory’
Husain, however, stressed that despite his ordeal, he thoroughly enjoyed the match. He added that when the UAE was awarded a penalty kick towards the end, he was devastated.
“We, the fans, had tears in our eyes. In fact, we wept even before the penalty was taken. We were sad that we could be beaten due to the mistake of one player. I felt it was unfair, since our team had outperformed the UAE.
“But when Faiz stopped the penalty, people were so happy that they cried tears of happiness. Everyone was hugging each other, even if they did not know each other,” Husain noted.
Another fan echoed the same sentiments. “When we won, we were speechless. Everyone was so happy, crying, laughing and dancing, all at the same time. I was in the stadium when Oman won the 19th Gulf Cup, but the happiness of the 23rd Gulf Cup win was different. We won the championship and beat the strongest teams in the region for it. We are very proud of our team.”
National transport operator Mwasalat ferried the injured fans from Muscat International Airport to their homes, regardless of where they lived in the Sultanate. One injured fan received a free trip from Muscat to Sohar - courtesy of a Mwasalat taxi, according to the company.
“Thank you from the heart to Mwasalat for providing free of charge transportation to the injured from Muscat to Sohar” one of the injured commented.
Mwasalat replied in an online statement: “That’s the least we can do to serve you and society.”
Charter flights were organised by the Kuwait government to take the injured Omanis home, and the country’s Prime Minister visited them in hospital to ensure everyone was fine to travel.
