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FOOTBALL-MAD Ahmad Nasr Nasser scored the dream of a lifetime when he walked hand-in-hand onto one of the FIFA World Cup Finals arena with his soccer stars.
The 11-year-old, who lives in Budaiya was the lucky winner of the McDonald’s Bahrain Player Escort Programme (PEP), as recently reported in GulfWeekly, and joined young supporters from around the world on a trip of a lifetime to Brazil.
McDonald’s, one of the tournament’s major sponsors, offered diners an opportunity to win the chance of escorting a player, match official or World Cup mascot onto the pitch. In Bahrain selected players from the nation’s top sides playing in a youth football league sponsored by franchiser Fakhro Restaurants underwent a special training session before taking part in a draw.
The Grade 5 student at Shaikh Mohammed Al Khalifa Intermediate School for Boys, was invited to accompany Chelsea and Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard before kick-out against Russia at the Estádio do Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro on June 22.
Ahmad, an attacking midfielder as well for Budaiya Football Club, said: “When I found out I would be with Hazard, who I consider to be the best player in the Belgium team, I was over the moon and could have cried tears of joy. I dreamed of walking out on the pitch with him and it actually came true!”
According to Ahmad, Hazard noticed his pre-match jitters so he reassured him that everything was going to be OK and to’ play it cool’. The player, not noted for his gentleness when it comes to treating kids, was the ultimate big brother.
The star has obviously come a long way since being accused of kicking a ball boy during Chelsea’s Capital One Cup exit to Swansea City last year. The Belgian was trying to retrieve the ball with his boot from under the child who had fallen on top of it to waste time.
Ahmad felt nothing but kindness from Hazard as he did during the entire Brazilian adventure which he attended with his father, Nasr, a ministry worker.
Ahmad added: “Everyone was so nice to us and I made a lot of friends during the trip. This was the best father-and-son-trip ever!”
While Ahmad was preparing to be escorted onto the pitch along with the other children from around the globe, Nasr and the other parents were taken on a tour of the city.
Nasr said: “The game was beautiful and the people in Brazil were friendly. They were so welcoming and accommodating. I never expected such hospitality and friendliness.
“To be honest I was a bit nervous about visiting Brazil. I just didn’t know what to expect but all those fears went away the minute I met up with the McDonald’s team there.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank the Bahrain McDonald’s team, especially Dunya Mudara the senior marketing co-ordinator and Ahmad Jaser, the general manager of McDonald’s Bahrain.
“They were with us every step of the way. From the moment Ahmad won they have been working with us. They went above and beyond making sure we made it to Brazil safely by taking care of all our paperwork and constantly communicating with us.
“The entire trip went smoothly and we even had an Egyptian translator who was wonderful. The McDonald’s team abroad took us to the best restaurants and the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. We were there for four days and I only wish we could have stayed longer.
“I was surprised though as I was told by people that Brazil was a poor country but it was actually modern and developed. The people were wonderful, the scenery was beautiful and the atmosphere so full of life.”
Together Ahmad and Nasr were treated to other tours and were shown tourism attractions including the statue of Christ the Redeemer. But nothing could prepare Nasr for the most memorable sight – watching his son from the stadium.
Nasr, proudly dressed in the kingdom’s colours of red and white and wearing a Bahrain cap, was overcome with joy.
He said: “When I heard them call my son’s name I cannot begin to express the emotion that came over me. I was filled with joy and pride … and then to see him run out onto the pitch … it was a beautiful sight that I will never forget.
“My son is a talented player and I dream that one day he will be playing for our kingdom running out onto the pitch in a major tournament. I’m so proud of him and proud that he represented Bahrain at such an event.”
Nasr and Ahmad returned from their trip closer than ever and with many souvenirs. According to his father, Ahmad’s football club will also be honouring him before the season begins for his big win and bringing pride to the kingdom.
Nasr said: “This is an honour for Bahrain to have one of our boys run up on the pitch on such an international stage. We love Bahrain; it’s our home and we will do whatever we can to raise the Bahraini flag high.”
