BANGKOK: World leaders and football stars joined the global outpouring of relief and congratulations at the astounding rescue of a young football team and their coach from a flooded Thai cave. Here are some of the reactions.

US PRESIDENT: “On behalf of the United States, congratulations to the Thai Navy SEALs and all on the successful rescue of the 12 boys and their coach from the treacherous cave in Thailand,” Trump tweeted. “Such a beautiful moment — all freed, great job!”

BRITISH PM: “Delighted to see the successful rescue of those trapped in the caves in Thailand. The world was watching and will be saluting the bravery of all those involved,” British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Twitter.

TECH GURU ELON MUSK: “Great news that they made it out safely. Congratulations to an outstanding rescue team!,” said tech guru Elon Musk, who visited the cave and offered the use of a prototype mini-sub made from rocket parts. In the end, the sub was not needed and Musk earlier said he was leaving it “here in case it may be useful in the future”.

CHILEAN MINERS: “Youjuuuu!,” exclaimed Chilean miner Mario Sepulveda, who was among 33 miners trapped down a mine for 69 days in 2010. “I feel a lot a lot of emotion. What can I say? I hope these kids will be very successful,” he said.

FIFA: Football’s governing body FIFA also welcomed the rescue but said the boys were too weak to attend Sunday’s World Cup final in Moscow. FIFA boss Gianni Infantino had invited the boys’ Wild Boars football team to the final “as our guests” last week. But FIFA said it had been informed “that due to medical reasons, the boys will not be in a position to travel to Moscow”.

“FIFA’s priority remains the health of everyone involved in the operation and we will look into finding a new opportunity to invite the boys to a FIFA event to share with them a moment of communion and celebration,” a spokesman said.

MANCHESTER UNITED: Manchester United also invited the “Wild Boars”, as well as those involved in the rescue, to travel to England and visit the club. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected. We would love to welcome the team from Wild Boars Football Club and their rescuers to Old Trafford this coming season,” the club said in tweet. “Amazing news that all of the Thai kids are out of the cave safely! I’d like to send out shirts to them,” England defender and Manchester City player Kyle Walker also tweeted.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2018