2024-01-12T16:01:30+00:00
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/ Lusail Stadium, which hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France, hosted the opening ceremony of the 2023 Asian Cup, which witnessed the captain of the Palestinian national team taking the tournament oath.
The ceremony, which was attended by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, will be preceded by the opening match between Qatar, the host country and title holder, and the Lebanese national team in Group A, which also includes the national teams of China and Tajikistan.
The opening ceremony was titled “The Lost Chapter of Kalila and Dimna,” one of the Asian heritage books that represents cultural similarities in the yellow continent.
The ceremony witnessed several singing and dancing performances, and Hassan Al-Haydos, captain of the Qatari national team, left the responsibility of delivering the championship oath to Musab Al-Batat, captain of the Palestinian national team.
Palestine was present at the opening ceremony through the song “For you, O city of prayer, I pray.”
Israel has been waging a full-scale military campaign on the Gaza Strip after a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7 that Israeli officials said killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and left 240 people trapped in the territory.
The Palestinian national team participates in the tournament in Group 4, alongside Iran, the UAE and Hong Kong, and will begin its journey against three-time champion Iran the day after tomorrow, Sunday.