The Sports and Youth Office in Yemen's business capital of Aden said on Friday that five stadiums are ready for the 20th Gulf Football Tournament set for later this year in Aden and Abyan Provinces.

Director of the office Jamal Al-Yamani told Saba the five stadiums included Shamsan, Al-Shulah, Al-Mansourah, Al-Wahdah, and Al-Nasr, and were constructed according to the FIFA requirements.

Every stadium has a seating capacity of 5000 and cost YR 1 billion, he said, noting other stadiums have been 80 per cent complete.

The construction of the main stadium, 22nd May, which will host the cup final match, is also underway, he said as he stressed the importance of completing all facilities for the tournament on time.

In recent months, doubts were raised over Yemen's ability to host the 20th Khaliji, though the country insisted it would make it a success.

This month a Gulf panel will visit Aden to familiarize with arrangements and preparations for the championship in terms of accomplished infrastructure.

On the visit, the panel will hold a meeting and then report to the heads of the Gulf Football Associations on the readiness of the country.

Last month an urgent meeting by the six GCC member states without the participation of Yemen and Iraq was held with the topic of the fate of the tournament on top of the agenda.

The meeting said after the panel visits Yemen on July 17th there would be three options: re-approving Yemen as the host and holding the event on the specified time, delaying the championship or changing the host country.

Yemen was already approved and confirmed as the host of the event but the last events in the south triggered fears about its ability to show a good host.

Bahrain would be the alternative host in case Yemen was found unable to be so, Gulf officials said last month.