Dubai is set to next year host what organisers envisage will become one of the leading youth football tournaments in the world.
Launched by long-time, Dubai-based coach Chris Brown, the Mina Cup will take place at the JA Sports Centre and Shooting Club from late March, and aims to attract a wealth of high-profile clubs from throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.
The competition, which runs March 28-30 and April 1-3, will comprise of 64 teams in all, from Under-12s up to U18s. The tournament stipulates that half of its participating sides should come from within the Middle East.
Thus far, Brown has official written interest from the likes of Leicester City, PSV Eindhoven, Club Brugge, Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Rangers, while English champions Liverpool have expressed a willingness to attend.
A number of professional clubs and privately run teams from Asia, including those in China, Japan and South Korea, have also been approached, with sides from Gambia and Nigeria already confirmed.
Brown has spoken to the UAE's Al Wahda and Sharjah and plans to reach out to more clubs and private academies in the Emirates. He has contacted teams too in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.
“The tournament’s been a long-term aspiration of mine and stems completely from my experiences as a young player and as a coach," Brown said.
“When you look at the Milk Cup, the Gothia Cup, the Dallas Cup and other quality tournaments around the world, you’ve had players compete in those who’ve gone on to have great careers. And I’m sure if you speak to them, they view those tournaments as a vital part of their development.
“The facilities here, the hotels, the experiences we can offer kids here, it’s a no-brainer that we should have a tournament that’s held in the highest regard as well. And you need to give the local communities the opportunity to play against world-renowned teams.
“The real USP behind this is to actually guarantee the local clubs – UAE and the Middle East – opportunities against the best teams in the world while adding a real international flavour to it also."
Such has been the level of interest, Brown expects to have the tournament's 64 slots filled by the end of September. He has not been surprised by the quick response, given the global pandemic has deprived teams of the chance to compete internationally.
“Clubs won’t have travelled for 18 months, possibly longer, so they’re massively enthusiastic about coming over,” Brown said.
“Private academies and clubs are dying to play football in a tournament setting and they know how well Dubai has managed the Covid-19 situation, so they’re happy to come participate, in line with any safety restrictions.
There's a huge amount of interest there because these teams have been starved of football."
Looking beyond the Mina Cup’s debut next year, Brown said: “The ultimate goal would be to extend to every age group, have the female game represented and branch out to other venues, be that inside and outside the UAE.
“I want a tournament that’s quality, encompasses both the male and female side of the game, brings across the best teams, and puts this place on the map to be regarded as the best youth tournament in the world. Not the biggest, but the best.
"I want to create memories and build a tournament that’s here in 25 years where, some of the players who’ve played in it have gone on to have great careers and can actually be an ambassador for not only the Mina Cup, but this country as well."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 263
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari - 235
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes - 212
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6. Sergio Perez, Force India - 68
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
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West Asia rugby, season 2017/18 - Roll of Honour
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Suggested picnic spots
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Umm Al Emarat Park
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The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Read more about the coronavirus
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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