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Following on from an action-packed kick-off in Abu Dhabi last week, an unprecedented number of youth, families and friends came out to the Al Ain Football Club in support of the young athletes participating in the du Football Champions, featuring the UAE Schools and Streets Cups.
The du Football Champions, in partnership with the strongest football league in the world, LaLiga, is the first youth football platform offering young top talents in the UAE the opportunity to earn a pro-football career on an international and national level, through a comprehensive scouting program led by LaLiga and also Michel Salgado duFC Director and LaLiga Global Ambassador. The program includes mentoring, intensive training and competitive games with LaLiga’s best youth clubs for qualifying players.
The highly anticipated matches attracted over 1,000 young athletes from schools and streets teams across Al Ain with a great level of participation from both Emirati national athletes and expats.
Al Ain Schools Cup teams from, Shaktbout bin Sultan Secondary School, Future International Academy, Al Adhwa Private School and Al Adel Cycle School put on a great show of talent and their ability to work as a team earned them top spots in their groups this week.
Individuals who displayed stellar performances on the pitch of the UAE Schools Cup today in Al Ain included Laith Qasem from Manor Hall International School, Mohammed and Mahmoud Samer from Al Khalil International School who each scored a hat trick to end their game on a 9-0 win and Mohammad Hilal from Oman who played in the boys U14 group with Al Dhaher School.
The Girls teams from Al Ain Schools were in great form as they played with crisp, creative, accurate passing and great team coordination. The young ladies from Al Ain International School were able to identify opportunities and take them to win their first game of the season with an incredible 6-0.
In the Streets Cup, the young athletes played some spectacular football displaying individual strengths and skills. Their excitement and commitment led to some fantastic moments as they played their best football to win their matches and show the talent scouters that they have what it takes to play professional football. Khaled Homairi from Al Asas, Abdullah Shami from the Lions, Abdul Rahman Al Mashhari from WALD and Liam Lanigan from Lethal Weapons were among the players whose dazzling technique impressed onlookers.
Other teams with displaying outstanding performances on day 1 in Al Ain included Al Ain United, Al Hilal, Men in Red and Monsters who had the ability and strength to fight off the defenders together with quick play making ability leading to a great start for Al Ain’s UAE Streets Cup teams.
Through a comprehensive scouting program led by LaLiga and Michel Salgado the Championship Director and LaLiga Global Ambassador, winners of the initiative will receive mentoring, intensive training and competitive games with LaLiga’s best youth clubs for qualifying players.
Commenting on the opening day matches in Al Ain Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Commercial Officer du said, “Creating this platform through which the youth of the UAE are able to spend their weekends playing their favorite sport and witnessing their enthusiasm reaffirms our commitment of adding life to life. Today we enjoyed the young athletes of the UAE proudly playing football through this initiative where they have an opportunity to become professional football players on a national and international scale.”
He added: “This grass-roots platform which provides the youth of the UAE with an opportunity to pursue careers as professional football players is ground breaking and in line with the nation’s vision to invest in youth development.”
Commenting on the kick off day, Hussein Murad, CEO of Inspiratus, the organizers of ‘du Football Champions’ platform, said: “The turnout of Emirati students here in Al Ain reflects the UAE youth’s thirst for such a platform that enables them to play their best football for a chance to be discovered. This platform is truly unique and we are proud to be able to provide all the youth across the UAE with this opportunity.”
Off the pitches players, and a large turnout of parents and members of the community enjoyed the exciting activations. Players and fans enjoyed the Chevrolet Challenge, for chances to win great prizes courtesy of championship main sponsor.
Next week, the duFC platform Abu Dhabi Group Stages will be played concurrently in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
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