Sponsored by
Oman I’m proud - Al Habsi
Ali Al Habsi (right) in action for Wigan
ALI Al Habsi has spoken of his immense pride at the prospect of returning to Oman with his Wigan Athletic team-mates later this month.
Latics will jet out to Al Habsi’s homeland immediately after Saturday’s trip to Bolton, taking advantage of having no fixture the following weekend to get in some warm-weather training.
During their stay, Latics will play a friendly against the Oman national side – who face a crucial World Cup qualifier against Thailand the following week – leaving Al Habsi in two minds as to which side he’ll be turning out for!
“I am so happy and proud about the prospect of going home with Wigan Athletic,” he told the Evening Post.
“It will be the first time a team from England has visited Oman, which will be something special for me and for my country.
“I am the only player from the region to be playing in the Premier League, and that means Wigan Athletic are a very popular team in Oman.
“It will be slightly strange when Wigan play against Oman - I might have to have a chat with the gaffer because I wouldn’t want to play against either of my teams!
“But I’m sure the team will like everything about my country - the people, the weather, the facilities - and hopefully it will help us when we return to the Premier League.
“It’s probably the best time to go to Oman, because the temperature is around 20-25 degrees.
“With the way the weather has been over over the past week or so, it will be nice to feel a bit of sun on our backs and get down to some good training.”
The Oman Football Association (OFA) have revealed their delight at welcoming Wigan to their country.
“We are all proud of Ali and his achievements in performing so well in the English Premier League — he is a true ambassador for our country,” said OFA General Secretary Hazzaa al Saadi.
“We worked hard to deliver a good option for Wigan Athletic to come to Oman, and it reflects well on the OFA and the country of Oman that they have chosen to visit.”
The trip has the full backing of Roberto Martinez, who believes the work his squad will be doing will prove invaluable in the relegation run-in.
“This is a key time of the year for us as we prepare for the remainder of the season,” the Wigan boss acknowledged.
“Our trip to Oman will offer us a great chance to prepare well and in good surroundings.
“Ali is, of course, one of our key players, and he is very happy for us to be heading to his homeland.
“We are looking forward to meeting the Omani people, of whom we’ve heard so much.”
Kick-off for the friendly clash on Friday week is to be confirmed, although it’s already been announced that admission will be free.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Wigan
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 10 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
owd bryner
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 05:40 PMI`ve read the warrior lads do the same thing and use it for warm weather training so realy who pays for that letts think about that one should we..
sewage
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:53 PMHey Salford thats the first time anyone has ever said that!. Not even sure what part of what i said isnt accurate? anyway you crack on pal, clearly too bright for the likes of me. You think whelans couched up to send them all on a jolly to oman,,,,,you believe what you want my friend
frankthedog
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 08:35 PMdoes anyone know the exact date and location because i'm dusting me passpot off,i've got me flag,it's FREE to get in,been on spiders web and cheapest flights you have to swap at amsterdam !!! few days there won't go amiss
rickytarr
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 05:27 PMThere's a coach going from the Brick. Sign on here.
mona
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 05:02 PMDon't blame the players. They are only doing what they are told.
Humpty
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 04:44 PMDisgusting that we're going here. This lot deserve extra training to get them fit (the most unfit team we've had in the last 10 years). We'll get thumped at Noblot, we'll all feel chit and this mob will be off sunning themselves, living it up as VIP's SACK THEM ALL
Humpty
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 04:41 PM"Kick-off for the friendly clash on Friday week is to be confirmed, although it’s already been announced that admission will be free."
Big-Neil
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 04:20 PMI'm sure we'll get a cut of the gate reciepts as well as a turning up fee. We'll probably get a good gate as we're are probably more popular in that nation than here. Not hard I grant you, but still worth taping into for basically free publicity in a very wealthy area. Also good for them to get out of the gloom of the training ground for a potential up lifting team bonding trip. We should've done these trips before to get more international fans and revenue. I was in the Andes of S America a few years back when we had Valencia in the team. people were really friendly and interested in Wigan because of that. We missed a trick there I feel.
SalfordLatic
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:55 PMSewage..... Is your username in reference to what comes out of your mouth?
sewage
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:09 PMFair play to Ali, hes been a very good signing for us, deserves a hero's welcome. And now for the negative, i wonder who is paying for this? and if we are actually being paid to go? as would bet my life Whelan aint coughed up!
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.