Former Black Stars and Real Madrid midfielder Michael Essien has been invited to Bahrain on Friday, December 6, 2019, as a guest of honour for their International Under-13 Championship.
According to reports available at footballghana.com, all arrangements for the Ghanaian international has been completed as the people of Bahrain await his arrival.
The U-23 International Championship will be participated by academies in Bahrain as well as some clubs from outside the Kingdom.
At the end of the draw, the first group will have Champions League teams of the host country including Al Ajyal and Saudi Madridista teams, as well as UAE side City Dubai.
The second group is made up of Teams Academy (Bahrain), Sportyard Academy (Saudi Arabia), Real Madrid Bahrain, and Winners Academy (Bahrain).
Then in the third group, there is Ole Academy team from Bahrain (defending champions), the AC Milan Academy team (Saudi Arabia), the JLF Academy team (UAE) and the Jeddah Academy team (Saudi Arabia).
The fourth group has teams such as the Bahrain Football Association, the Sretros Academy team, the Cerro Academy team from Bahrain as well as the Juventus Academy team from Saudi Arabia.
Michael Essien is popular in Bahrain and is expected to be given a resounding welcome when he finally touches down.