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BAHRAIN'S adopted soccer sons Queens Park Rangers look set to step in to assist the kingdom's national team secure success in its World Cup and Asian Cup qualifying campaigns.
Negotiations are currently on-going between the two parties as part of the community package behind national airline Gulf Air's three-year sponsorship deal with the west London-based football club.
It is likely a friendly match may be arranged and training facility support will be offered to national soccer coach Milan Macala.
"Talks are currently being held between all parties involved," said Jon Barnett, Gulf Air's sponsorship, alliances and events manager.
The English championship side is amongst the favourites to win promotion to the Premiership this season and its management team is determined to play a close role with the development of football in Bahrain.
The partnership with Gulf Air will also see the introduction of a local youth football scouting programme and various community-based initiatives in Bahrain and London.
Bahrain play the first match in the final qualifying round for the World Cup on September 6 against Japan and again in the group on March 28 next year - after winning and losing against the same country in the earlier qualifying round which both sides successfully progressed from.
Ironically, the two countries have once again been drawn together for the final qualifying round for the 2011 Asian Cup in Doha and will play each other on January 28 next year in Bahrain and in Japan in March, 2010.
