ABU DHABI // In most instances, Brazil playing Slovakia to kick-start a three-week long Fifa Under 17 World Cup, which starts today, should provide ample excitement and set the tone for the tournament.
However, when it comes to staging an event of this calibre in the UAE, the hosts take a lot of pride in turning the event into a spectacle that will live long in the memory.
As well as the three-time winners of the U17 World Cup Brazil facing off against Slovakia at 5pm the UAE get their campaign underway against Honduras at 8pm with both games taking place at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, where the official opening ceremony takes place, while in Ras Al Khaimah, in Group B, Uruguay meet New Zealand in the early game and Ivory Coast v Italy takes place after.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, the head of the organising committee and the Minister for Culture, Youth and Community Development, said all preparation has been successfully completed for the competition to begin.
“We are extremely happy to be hosting this fantastic tournament. I would like to thank our colleagues from Fifa, who have worked hard with the Local Organising Committee to make this tournament a success,” he said.
“We are ready. All our preparatory work is complete. All that remains now is for me to wish all the competitors a successful tournament.”
The Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium is suitably decked out ready to get the competition underway. The official opening ceremony will take place between the two games.
The LOC said the ceremony will be a 15-minute spectacle that includes a laser show and fireworks that would “keep those in the stadium as well as those watching the live telecast enthralled”.
Rafael Salguero, chairman of the organising committee, said he was looking forward to seeing the show begin.
“My thanks go to the Local Organising Committee and all Fifa employees collectively involved in ensuring that all hurdles were successfully cleared during the preparation stage,” he said. “The UAE have already hosted Fifa tournaments here with great success in the past, so I am sure that this U17 World Cup will also be a successful tournament in every respect. We hope to see full stadiums and great enthusiasm at every venue.”
Salguero stressed the importance of this age-group tournament, saying it provided a boon to aspiring young players’ development and prepared them for the big stage.
“We are ready to kick off a fantastic tournament that should serve as a springboard for the future stars of world football,” he said. “The U17 World Cup forms an important part of the pyramid of Fifa competitions and is crucial for the development of the young players taking part in this tournament.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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
Details
Through Her Lens: The stories behind the photography of Eva Sereny
Forewords by Jacqueline Bisset and Charlotte Rampling, ACC Art Books
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.
Where to buy
Limited-edition art prints of The Sofa Series: Sultani can be acquired from Reem El Mutwalli at www.reemelmutwalli.com
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
