Muscat: His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik, Seeb Club President and the Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs, has described Seeb’s historic AFC Cup title triumph as an “indescribable joy”.
Seeb became the first Omani club to claim the continental title when they lifted the AFC Cup after defeating Kuala Lumpur City 3-0 in Kuala Lumpur on October 22.
In his first comments after the team returned to a rousing reception last week, Sayyid Shihab dedicated the continental achievement to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, who had at one time been chairman of Seeb Club.
Sayyid Shihab said: “Seeb Club wrote an unprecedented history. I congratulate the players, team management and fans and they have all my love, appreciation and praise. Winning the AFC Cup is a new milestone for Omani football. We thank the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth and the Oman Football Association for their follow-up and support to the club that played a key role in the AFC Cup success.”
Sayyid Shihab said: “The AFC Cup title is dedicated to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. His Majesty is the first patron of youth and supporter of Omani sports and has always shown keen interest and care for Omani youth. I thank him for his continuous support to Omani sports.”
Sayyid Shihab affirmed that the Sultanate of Oman is rich with talented youth and if they are armed with patience, determination and perseverance, they have the potential to achieve glory at international level.
He added: “I am happy and proud of the club’s historic achievement, which will be immortalized in Oman football history as the first Oman club to win a continental crown. The triumph has set up a great platform for clubs in Oman to be ambitious and eye glory at Asian and international level.”
Sayyid Shihab said: “I thank His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, and Sheikh Salim al Wahaibi, Oman Football Association chairman, for their support to the club during our participation in the AFC Cup. The officials at the sports ministry and the OFA provided moral and logistical support to the club.”
He also thanked the loyal fans of Seeb Club, who stood by the team during the complete campaign.
Sayyid Shihab said: “Seeb’s achievement raises the bar of Oman football, which has greater challenges ahead. Our team topped the group stage and we successfully hosted the group stages in Muscat. I thank the three coaches, Boris Bunjak, Ilie Stan and Rasheed Jaber, who were part of our victorious campaign. The players’ desire for success and determination is an example that will stand in good stead for the club in the future.
“The title triumph has added more responsibilities on the club and it is imperative to work collectively in order to achieve further success at Asian level.”
