JEDDAH: The governor of the Eastern Province, Prince Muhammad bin Fahd, will attend the AFC Youth Championship 2008 in Dammam which kicks off tomorrow. Sixteen Asian teams are vying in the tournament that will run through Nov. 14.
Sultan bin Fahd, president of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, and his deputy Prince Nawaf bin Faisal will also attend the opening ceremony.
Prince Sultan expressed his happiness that the Kingdom is hosting this international event. He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan for their support for sport and sportsmen around the world especially in the Asian continent which will strengthen the country’s ties with other Asian nations.
Prince Muhammad welcomed the teams participating in the competition and wished them well.
The teams have been divided into four groups. Group A includes Saudi Arabia, Japan, Iran and Yemen. Group B teams are South Korea, Iraq, UAE and Syria. In Group C are North Korea, China, Tajikistan and Lebanon while Group D comprises Jordan, Australia, Thailand and Uzbekistan.
South Korea and Syria will open the Group B matches tomorrow. Japan and Yemen clash in Group A while the second match of the group will be between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The second match of Group B will have Iraq pitted against UAE.
