More than 2,000 young hopefuls took part on the first day of the six-month du Football Champions tournament at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy du Football Champions
More than 2,000 young hopefuls took part on the first day of the six-month du Football Champions tournament at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy du Football Champions

Budding Ronaldos and Messis line up to train with the stars



ABU DHABI // With the fever pitch thrill of training alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar, thousands of youngsters kicked off a nationwide football competition on Saturday.

More than 2,000 young hopefuls competed in Abu Dhabi on the first day of the six-month du Football Champions tournament, which is offering winning teams and stand-out players an all-expenses-paid trip to Spain to train with professionals from La Liga.

Championship director and former Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado attended the opening day at Zayed Sport City and said he was thrilled.

“The girls and boys demonstrated superb skills and we look forward to discovering many more talented players this season,” he said.

Through two simultaneous competitions – the UAE Schools and the Streets Cup – boys and girls aged 11-17 will participate in four categories separated by age and gender.

Competing in the UAE Streets Cup, where teams can be made up from schools, clubs, academies or just groups of friends, were Mahdi and Elias Zitouni.

The 14-year-old Tunisian twins decided to make a team of their own as their school was not represented.

Mahdi, who is Black Knight’s captain, said that what he liked most about the tournament was it provided children a great opportunity at no cost.

“There are a lot of people who can’t afford to pay for tournaments and here we get to play for free,” the team’s goalkeeper said.

His brother Elias said the chemistry he shared with his twin gave them an edge in their 2-0 victory on Saturday.

“The way this tournament is organised, the activities, the food – it’s definitely the best I have ever played in,” Elias said.

With scouts from the Spanish league attending games players said it raised the level of their playing.

“Being looked at by scouts gets you excited as you know your dreams of becoming a professional player could come true,” said Rami Omar, 15.

The Canadian will be representing the Canadian International School in the UAE Schools Cup which will feature close to 200 schools.

Training at least twice a week with his team, Rami said they had hopes of making it to at least the quarter-finals, and perhaps on to the semi-finals.

“This is a great event that brings out a lot of enthusiasm and gets the local communities together,” he said. “There should be more tournaments like it in the UAE.”

Games will be held every Saturday with next week’s matches being held at Al Ain Football Club and Al Dhafra Training Ground.

The tournament’s Dubai and Sharjah games will commence at the beginning of next year with the final taking place at Dubai Mall on March 19.

tsubaihi@thenational.ae

Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
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Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

Day 1 results:

Open Men (bonus points in brackets)
New Zealand 125 (1) beat UAE 111 (3)
India 111 (4) beat Singapore 75 (0)
South Africa 66 (2) beat Sri Lanka 57 (2)
Australia 126 (4) beat Malaysia -16 (0)

Open Women
New Zealand 64 (2) beat South Africa 57 (2)
England 69 (3) beat UAE 63 (1)
Australia 124 (4) beat UAE 23 (0)
New Zealand 74 (2) beat England 55 (2)

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