Cherry-picked from a countrywide talent showcase event in Abu Dhabi, Omar Suleiman is about to embark on a potentially life-changing journey.
The Jordanian teenager is one of three players selected from a pool of 40, scouted by SUNY Adirondack university in New York, on a two-year football scholarship.
Suleiman will feature in the Collegiate and United Premier Soccer League in the Adirondack and Mount Valley regions from September to April. He will depart for New York on August 10 to join the pre-season training camp starting five days later.
“I've always been excited, even on the small things like joining different clubs or playing in a different city. So to receive a scholarship to play in the US is like something out of the world for me, and perhaps a life-changing opportunity,” Suleiman told The National.
“I never ever dreamed that a door like this would open for me. I’m so thrilled and feel that I’m in a different planet to play in a semi-professional league in the US.
“This may be the first step of my main goal of becoming a professional footballer and even go beyond that in becoming a global star. That’s how I feel right now.”
Suleiman, 17, is the second of his Jordanian parents' three sons, all of whom were born and raised in Abu Dhabi.
His older brother Osama, 21, completing his final year of an engineering degree at the University of Birmingham, was selected on a similar scholarship and has since gone on to play for the Under-21s of Premier League side Bournemouth.
Suleiman's dream is to one day follow in his brother's footsteps.
“Football runs in the family with my older brother and uncles playing at various levels,” Suleiman, a winger, said of his football journey.
“Like most kids, I started playing at parks and school, and when I was around 11, I thought I had the potential to get into the next level.
“At the same time, my father identified my abilities, and he enrolled me at the Manchester City School. And there, with the help of coaches and my own efforts, I reached a level where everyone spotted me as a player with decent talent and skills.”
A student at Repton School in Abu Dhabi, Suleiman represented Al Ain at various age groups for two years from 2022 and also spent short periods at Al Jazira and Al Wahda youth teams. He moved then moved to FC Ole, his current team, to play in the UAE amateur league.
Before being offered a scholarship at SUNY, Suleiman said his ambitions were to earn a contract with a professional UAE club.
“Initially I thought the maximum I could reach was to play for a professional club in the UAE which also could have been an achievement. Now I find myself with the opportunity for a bigger opportunity,” he added.
Along with his football development, Suleiman will pursue a degree in International Business. He hopes that his performances will attract the attention of clubs in the US or Europe, ultimately leading to an offer of a professional contract. He said is prepared to put in the hard work to make that dream come true.
“It’s the hard yards that have taken me to where I am right now. The way I developed my football skills was actually more of me and myself training, which I have to do if I want to achieve my goals," he said.
“In the first two years with my team, I want to make sure that I'm scoring goals, getting good assists and making sure I can get through my studies at college.
“Thereafter, I want to make sure that I can get into a team to play as a full professional. Not just to be a professional player but to be one of the best in the sport. That's my main target, God willing.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
more from Janine di Giovanni
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Seven%20Winters%20in%20Tehran
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
Civil%20War
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
