The 20th Gulf Football Cup that opens in Yemen on Monday is attracting celebrities including heads of state, as the country is trying to prove its ability to host the championship and convince others it is stable.
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Djiboutian President Ismail Omer Guelleh arrived on Sunday in the capital business of Aden, one of the port cities where the event takes place through November 22 to December 05, for the cup opening ceremony.
President Saleh, who arrived in the city on Friday for the ceremony and inspecting arrangements ahead of the event, received them along with senior officials.
Saleh will discuss with the two leaders the bilateral relationship with each country as well as the latest developments in the region topped by the situation in Somalia.
Arab and African senior officials including ministers have started to arrive for the ceremony as well. Also, reports said that Yemen had invited celebrities including former French star Zinedine Zidane to kick a ball before the matches start.
The championship will be held in Aden and Abyan, with the soccer teams of Yemen, Iraq and the GCC member states to play in the every-two-year championship.