H.E. Abdullah Jumaa Al Darmaki, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Sports Games Company and General Supervisor of Al Ain Volleyball Team, confirmed that the team is well prepared to kick off the upcoming season by developing plans and strategies that were drawn at the end of the previous season by the Montenegrin head coach Vesko.

“The head coach set up a three-year plan to form a new team by focusing on joining new young players, as well as furnishing the essential support per the coach’s plan to fulfill the Boss aspirations during the coming challenges,” Al Darmaki said.

On the new contracts signed with new players and the experienced players leaving the team, he said: “You must have players at a high level of distinction and skills, i.e., the professionals who make up a spearhead in the team. For this reason, distinguished players have been contracted and previously disclosed. We wish to exhibit their high-quality skills along with their teammates.”

As for the exit of expert players, he said: “This is one of the next stage requirements and must be allowed to go on with their career with other teams. Additionally, we have to allow the young players to prove they deserve to play for the first team and be one of the coach’s selections in the starting lineup.”

Abdullah Al Darmaki confirmed cooperation and mutual support between the Al Ain Sports Games Company and the Abu Dhabi clubs in various fields. “This greatly contributes to consolidating the relationship between the clubs under the umbrella and supervision of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, especially in matters related to the public interest and the exchange of players.”

He went on to say: “Saeed Rashid Al Ketbi from Al Wahda Club signed for Al Ain Volleyball Team for two seasons. Although he is still a young player, he is a skillful and promising player. Thanks go to Al Wahda Volleyball Team for their highly appreciated cooperation.”

“Also, we have concluded a final agreement with Bani Yas Club for approving the transfer of Abdullah Saif Al Maamari. This would reinforce the great role of Al Ain Club in supporting the volleyball game at the Abu Dhabi Emirate level and the cooperation between them to support all games.”

Al Darmaki indicated a joint investment and cooperation between the Al Ain Sports Games Company and other clubs. “There is a cooperation with all the country’s clubs and Al Ain Club. This is our basic and constant approach, and we have been working with them with sights set to support all clubs and all games.”

Al Darmaki concluded his statement by addressing his sincerest gratitude and regards for all the clubs and stressed that “the next stage is critical and sensitive. This requires working together in support of all individual and collective games.”

(WAM) – H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has expressed pride in the Emirati youth who have proven that “the word impossible is not in their vocabulary.”

In a statement he made today on the occasion of the International Youth Day, which falls on 12th August, Sheikh Hazza said thanks to the leadership’s continuous support and to their determination and resolve, the young men and women of the UAE, have played a key role in UAE’s recent achievements, including the successful launch of first Arab mission to Mars and the start of operations at Barakah, the first peaceful nuclear energy reactor in the Arab world.

“There are no limits to ambition. The UAE’s wise leadership has always counted on the youth in its vision for sustainable development,” he added.

The family of Al Ain Sports Games Company received today the new head coach of Al Ain Handball Team, Tunisia’s Adnan Belharith. The new coach signed his contract to train the Boss in mid-June 2020, replacing his countryman Mohammed Abu Gazaleh.

The new coach was received at the company’s head office in Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium by Saleh Al Shouaili, Board Member of Al Ain Sports Games Company and General Supervisor of Al Ain Handball Team, Assistant Coach Mustafa Musa, Administrative Officer Mansour Saleh, Team Captain Ibrahim Al Blooshi and Bonsai’s professional player Izsak.

Al Shouaili welcomed the new coach pointing out Belharith is the team’s former coach in 2011, and he is back again to assume his new responsibilities.

“The decision to contract with Tunisia’s Belharith as the new coach was based on a plan set up by the team management to boost the team’s level, considering that the Boos won the title of the past season. Sights are set this season to clinch more titles and top the league’s standing table and other competitions under the command of the new head coach,” Al Shouaili said.

He stated that Adnan Belharith enjoys a brilliant biography full of achievements and extensive experience in local, Gulf, and Arab counties. “Coach Belharith used to be the former coach of Al Ain Handball Team in 2011 and won the Union League title in 2012. He won the African Championship when he was a player and played for his national team and participated in the Handball World Cup. He also worked as coach assistant of the Tunisian National Handball Team.”

On his part, Belharith expressed his sincerest appreciation for the warm reception and stated: “I am so pleased to be back in UAE and particularly to train the Boss. I had a great time with the team in the past full of achievements and positive results. I want to thank the Club management for giving me a second chance to be back in my second home.”

He added: “I was following up on the team’s news and the players since I left in 2014 for I still keep an excellent relationship with the players. I believe this would make my mission easier, given that I trained the majority of the current players and know their technical levels well.”

He concluded his statement by expressing his appreciation to the former head coach Mohammed Abu Gazaleh for his significant and dedicated efforts in the past seasons. “He contributed significantly to improving the skills and quality of players and crowned that by winning the UAE Cup. I do wish him all the best.”

(WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has congratulated President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on the occasion of Eid Al Adha, wishing him continued good health and wellbeing.

H.H. Sheikh Hazza also extended his Eid greetings to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, Crown Princes and Deputies Ruler.

Sheikh Hazza expressed his best wishes for the UAE people and residents, praying to The Almighty Allah to keep the UAE as an oasis of security, peace, stability, giving and prosperity.

Khwaiter Al Dhaheri, Board Member of Al Ain Sports Games Company and Supervisor of Individual Games dedicated the title of the Vice President’s Cup Jiu-Jitsu to His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council, First Vice President of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, First Vice President of the Honorary Council & Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club. He also presented the title to the Board of Directors and the loyal fans of this game.

Khwaiter expressed his most profound pleasure with this achievement and said: “I am proud of this achievement despite the difficult conditions we experienced due to the decision to suspend the sports activities resulting from the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Boss heroes fulfilled their word and put firm hands on the precious cup of the third version after winning the title of the first version.”

Regarding the preparation for the tournament, he said: “The players got together in a closed camp in Abu Dhabi under the supervision of the UAE Ju-Jitsu Federation according to the adopted health protocol. The camp was held at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Abu Dhabi and lasted for three weeks. During the training sessions, coaches focused on boosting up the physical and mental levels. This resulted in winning the title, and the Boss Youth Team was placed second.”

Al Dhaheri extended his sincere appreciation to the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) for the significant supervision and organization of the camp and the championship producing such a fantastic tournament despite the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. He stated: “It is a message that UAE sports entities could organize sporting events in such an atmosphere.”

He concluded his statement by extending his appreciation to coaching teams, administrative staff, and the players who exerted dedicated efforts throughout the camp and the championship and led to winning the precious title. He hoped all the best to the team and continue winning titles of the upcoming competitions.

Al Ain Men’s Jiu-Jitsu Team won the Vice President’s Cup Jiu-Jitsu at the end of the closing round, concluded at the Arena Hall in Abu Dhabi. The rounds witnessed intense competitions among the five clubs qualified from the second round, namely Al Ain, Al Wahda, Bani Yas, Al Jazira and Al Dhafra.

The Boss champs managed to outperform all competitors and won the title and the gold medals with 390 points. Meanwhile, Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Youth Team placed second with 460 points, and the junior team was placed second, achieving 454 points.

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation (UAEJJF) organized the third round of the Vice President’s Cup Jiu-Jitsu amid strict precautionary measures to ensure the players’ health and safety the teams of the clubs participating in the tournament. Jujitsu’s UAE stars reaffirmed their high level of self-awareness of the need to adapt to the new reality and to move forward in their career where the word impossible is not in their dictionary.”

At the end of the competitions, H.E. Mohammed Salem Al Dhahiri, the vice-chairman of UAEJJF, Fahd Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of UAEJJF, and Abdullah Al Shamsi, Al Ain Club Administrative Officer, crowned the Boss champs with the cup and gold medals.

H.E. Khamis Obaid Al Kaabi, Chairman of Al Ain Sports Games Company, congratulated His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council, First Vice President of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, First Vice President of the Honorary Council & Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, on the occasion of winning the Vice President Cup of Jujitsu.

Al Kaabi stated: “Despite the hard conditions all sports activities experienced due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Boss champions were able to win the dearest title for the second time in the club’s history. The first cup the team won was in 2018.”

On the team’s preparations for the tournament, he said: “The players were well trained during their home training camp in Abu Dhabi at the Armed Forces Officers Club that extended for three weeks before kicking off the competition. The training sessions were held per the precautionary and preventive measures stipulated by the UAE Jujitsu Association. During the camp, players were able to regain their physical and mental fitness after a long period of suspending all sports activities. They single out themselves by being the heroes of the competition and winning its title.”

Al Kaabi added: “Our champs of all categories are always winners of titles in all jujitsu tournaments. Tonight, they proved themselves again as heroes of the game. The young and junior teams did well this evening and were placed second in the tournament though they gained high points in this round.”

Khamis Al Kaabi concluded his statement by extending his appreciation to the coaching teams, administrative staff, and the players for their significant achievement. He said: “This is the result of the dedicated efforts exerted by everyone to arrive at this stage of success. We hope to maintain this level of significance and looking forward to achieving more titles in the upcoming competitions.”

Al Ain Sports Games Company officially announced that Saeed Al Ketbi, 18 years, signed to Al Ain First Volleyball Team for a two-season contract. The former player of Al Wahda Team joined Al Ain on loan contract.

Al Ketbi is one of the promising volleyball players and a key player of the UAE National Youth Volleyball Team.

Al Ketbi took the opportunity to extend his sincerest appreciation for Al Ain Club Management for offering him the chance to defend the Boss crest. He also thanked his family for their relentless support they showed during his first experience in his career.

Al Ain Sports Games Company sealed their last deals of the season by finalizing the on-loan contract of the Emirati international Khalid Hamza, the former player of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai.

The Company also announced that Ukraine’s international player Timofii Poluian has already signed a one-season contract to Ain Volleyball Team.

Tim, 22 years old,  played for several teams in China, Croatia, and Slovenia and won many titles with his clubs. He won the Best Player Award of the Slovenian volleyball league 2018-2019.

Timofii Poluian will play shoulder to shoulder with Al Ain Team’s professional players Colombia’s Cristopher Liberman and Cuban Cuba Lazaro.

Al Ain Sports Games Company has recently announced that the Tunisian head coach Adnan Belharith signed to Al Ain Handball Team replacing the former coach Mohammed Ali Abu Gazaleh.

In recognition of the former Tunisian head coach Mohammed Ali Abu Gazaleh dedicated efforts, Al Ain Sports Games Company and the Al Ain Handball Team family extended their sincerest appreciation and gratitude wishing him the best of luck in his future career. They all highlighted his significant contributions, most importantly, nurturing the talented players and introducing them to the first young team, in addition to winning the UAE Cup League this season and being placed as runner-up in the friendly championship organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

For his part, the Board Member of Al Ain Sports Games Company and the General Supervisor of Al Ain Handball Team, Saleh Al Shouaili, expressed his appreciation to the coach Muhammad Ali Abu Gazaleh for all his accomplishments over the past four years he spent with the team.

In his statement to Al Ain’s official website, Al Shouaili expressed his pleasure for having the coach Adnan Belharith onboard this current season, considering that he used to be the head coach of Al Ain Handball Team.

Saleh stated: “Appointing the new head coach based on the pre-set plan developed by the team management to advance handball game further and to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the Club’s Board of Directors and the fans.”

He also hailed the new coach’s qualities by saying: “Belharith enjoys a brilliant CV and a significant experience in the local, gulf and Arab regions and above all, he used to be the head coach of the Al Ain Handball Team and won the Cup League in 2012. He also won the African Championship as a player and coach and participated in the World Cup as a player and then as assistant coach of Tunisia’s National Team.”

Responding to a question on the date of resuming the new season, Saleh Al Shouaili said: “We are still waiting for the decision to resume the League matches based on the provisional decision to resume them in early September. We have to prepare for the season as of the beginning of next August. It is planned to kick off the preseason preparations by conducting the essential medical checkups and back to training sessions.”