World Cup bonus if Bahrain win
By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
MANAMA
MANAMA: Bahrain's national football team could be in for a BD2.1 million World Cup bonus if they get past Trinidad and Tobago tonight and reach the finals in Germany next year. MPs yesterday approved the incentive, despite laughing the proposal out of parliament last month.
They took the decision in view of the team's performance in the first leg of the all-important qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday which they drew 1-1.
Bahrain will play the return leg at National Stadium tonight and if they qualify each player stands to get BD50,000, a new car, a government house and a BD1,000 monthly salary leading up to and during the World Cup next June.
The proposal was put forward by a group of MPs led by Yousif Al Hermi and will go to the Cabinet for approval.
His Majesty King Hamad has already granted the team an open budget to encourage them to perform well in the country's bid to reach the World Cup for the first time.
Initially, the proposal was shelved at the services committee, but MPs said they changed their minds in view of the team's outstanding performance on Sunday.
*Traffic police will be out in force to reduce congestion on all roads leading to the stadium, in Riffa.
Fans have been urged to follow traffic rules and not park illegally, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
They have also been asked not to break the law during celebrations if the Bahrain team wins.