Zayed Cup int'l soccer draws good response
A Total of 18 teams including teams from some of the world's top clubs will be taking part in the Al Wahda Club's youth football international tournament now renamed as the Zayed Cup to be held at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi from March 27 to April 5.
Details of the Zayed Cup (Under-18 and Under-16) as well as the names of the main sponsors were announced by Rashid Al Zaabi, executive office member of Al Wahda Sports and Culture at a press conference held at the Club on Tuesday.
The press briefing was also attended by Saeed Mubarak, secretary general of the club and the sponsor's representatives.
The 10-day soccer tournament will be sponsored by Emirates Media, Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company, First Gulf Bank, Etisalat, Dolphin, Al Dar Properties, Adnoc, Bin Hamoodah and Nokia.
Zaabi said the tournament is very important for the UAE and the importance is underscored by the fact it carries the name of late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and urged all those who are involved in hosting the tournament to redouble their efforts to make it a great success as a mark of respect for the late Sheikh Zayed. "This is the least we can do to keep his name with us," he said.
Zaabi also said there was a prompt response from the sponsors which were contacted by the club and added that the companies which were approached were known for their commitment to the UAE society, in addition to their obvious economic role in the society. He also said the championship is gaining international media attention as it features some of the top teams from South America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Zaabi expressed his gratitude to all the establishments which have sponsored the Zayed Cup. He said since there are nine teams in each age group, the teams have been divided into two groups with four teams in Group A and five teams in Group B.
The teams who have entered in the Under-18 (Group A) are Al Wahda (UAE), Feyenoord (Holland), Inter Milano (Italy), Boca Juniors (Argentina) Group (B) Al Jazira (UAE), UAE National Youth Team, Cagliari (Italy), RCD Espanyol (Spain) and Fluminense (Brazil).
The participating teams in the Under-16 are (Group A) Al Wahda (UAE), Al Ahly (Egypt), Sevilla (Spain), Sao Paula (Brazil), (Group (B) Al Jazira (UAE), UAE National Junior Team, Al Itihad (Saudi Arabia), Al Raja (Morocco) and Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa).
