ALI Al-Habsi’s achievements with Bolton Wanderers have helped to earn him a highly prestigious honour back in his home country.

The Oman international has received the Omani Civil Order Class Four, the Omani equivalent of a knighthood.

The goalkeeper is the first sportsman from his country ever to receive the award.

It was a proud moment for the 26-year-old who is a popular and admired figure among his fellow countrymen because of the football fame he has achieved in Europe.

He said: “Because I’m the first footballer to play in Europe and the Premier League – the biggest league in the world – then I’ve been recognised for the achievement in my homeland.

“To come from a Gulf country and to play over here in England is a very big thing for Oman.

“I’m very proud to get this because I’m the first sportsman to get this award.

“It is a very hard thing to achieve in Oman. They award it to very few people who have done big things for the country.”

Al-Habsi is well thought of by Boltonians as well by the people of Oman for his performances on the rare occasions he has stood in for Jussi Jaaskelainen.

He signed from Lyn Oslo in Norway almost three years ago since when his chances in the first team have been few and far between.

Whenever he has stepped up, he has never let the the side down and has impressed with some excellent displays.

But he has one of the toughest jobs in football trying to oust Jaaskelainen, who is widely regarded as one of the most talented and consistent goalkeepers in the Premier League.

On receiving the award, he said: “It was a surprise because when I arrived in Oman two weeks ago during the last international break the Minister of Football phoned me and said ‘Ali, I want you to be in my office at nine o’clock in the morning’, but he didn’t tell me what for.

“He told me to be ready and wearing Omani clothes, so all the night before I couldn’t sleep because I didn’t know what would be happening.

“When I got there, he said ‘congratulations, you are going to receive this award from the Majesty’.

“I’m very proud because I got it on the national day of Oman. Usually he would present two or three on that day, but there was only myself who received the award on that day.

“I’m very pleased for myself because all the people in Oman are so happy and this has made me even prouder. Everyone has phoned me and it’s been all over the newspapers because it’s not an easy thing to receive in Oman.

“To be honest, when I go back to Oman everyone is happy to meet me. But when I go home I only get the chance to see my family because I’m in England most of the time.

“Fred Barber has seen how much the Omani people like me because he has been there and seen what it is like.

“People in Oman love football, they are crazy about the game. They watch every game in the Premier League.

“In England they don’t show all the Premier League football live, but in Oman all 10 games are live.

“Everyone watches Bolton and they like Manchester United and Liverpool, but they don’t just watch it, they are very loyal to their teams.”

Wanderers Reserves take on Middlesbrough in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday night.