Ahmed Saleh Al-Ayisi, head of Yemen Football Association (YFA) said that Yemen has made great strides in the preparation phase of the tournament, which will be held in Aden from Nov. 22 to Dec. 6.

"The percentage of achievement in many sports and service facilities have reached more that 75 percent and will be completed before the actual day of the tournament," he said.

He noted that the observations of the Gulf Committee during their recent visit to Yemen would be taken into account. "We are able to solve the shortcomings within the next 45 days.We will hit the payment to ensure that the facilities will be completed on time."

Following the selection of the host country of the Cup, Yemen has generously spent millions of dollars to recondition its old football stadiums and build new ones.

Al-Ayisi denied the media reports that said the tournament would be taken from Yemen and described them as baseless, "The tournament will be held in Yemen according to the decision of the heads of federations of Gulf states and Iraq, which was held in Sana'a in Dec. 23, 2009."

In a telephone call with his Yemeni counterpart, Prince Nawaf bin Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Deputy President of Saudi Youth Welfare, expressed his full support to Yemen for hosting the tournament.

Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper triggered media debate when it referred to sources which it described them as informed and trustworthy that the 20 Gulf Cup would be withdrawn from Yemen and will be held in Bahrain following a crucial visit by a Gulf sport Committee. Yemen Supreme Tenders Commission has agreed the sale of TV rights of the tournament to Abu Dhabi Sports Channel, which offered the highest amount. Media reports said that the channel gave between $25 to $30 million.