In a crazy, exciting and tough match against Al Jazira, Al Ain First Volleyball Team turned the table on the opponent despite they were down by two rounds. The deferred match of the General Volleyball League was held at the indoor court of Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Ain stars won the first round by 26-24, however the guests were able to win the second and third rounds by 25-20 and 25-23 respectively. The Boss was able to return to the match and won the fourth round by 26-24. That round was full of excitement and they were lucky enough to finish it by wining the guests by 27-25. The match went to the fifth round where the guests had the advantage in the beginning but with the determination of the players, they were able to turn the result and finish the fifth round by 15-13 in their favour.
Al Ain team is scheduled to play their next match in Dubai on Friday 8th February 2019 against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai at their indoor court.

(WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, met today with President of Montenegro, Milo Dukanovic, who is currently in the UAE to attend the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

Sheikh Hazza welcomed President Dukanovic, saying the sustainability week has become a global meeting place for decision-makers, experts and specialists from around the world who seek to maintain a consensus on global issues, particularly energy, environmental security, and sustainability.

President Dukanovic said he was pleased with his meeting with Sheikh Hazza and praised Abu Dhabi for hosting this important event, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The meeting was attended by Milan Rocen, Chief political advisor of the President of Montenegro and Dushka Yekenic, Montenegrin Charge d’Affaires.

Also present were Hamad Mubarak Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Petroleum Council; Abdul Salam Al Rumaithi, UAE Ambassador to Montenegro; Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Company; Abu Bakr Al Khouri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company, and Mohamed bin Thaloub Al Dir’ee, Chairman of the UAE Wrestling and Judo Association.

Al Ain Volleyball Team has achieved a noteworthy victory over the home team, Hatta Team, by 3-0 in the match held in the indoor court of Hatta Club as part of the General Volleyball League.

The Boss managed to win the first and second rounds by same result 25-23. In the third-round, Hatta Team surrendered and were defeated by 8 points difference (25-17) points in favor of the Boss.

The newcomer, Venezuelan Gomez, played his first match with the Boss and was able along with his teammates to show a stunning performance and to achieve a deserved victory. The new Venezuelan professional enjoys an extensive experience in volleyball courts where he played in Brazil, Turkey and Japan. During his professional career, he achieved several titles with the teams he played for, in addition to several personal titles.

Al Ain Sports Games Company has recently announced that the company signed a contract with the Venezuelan international professional Ernardo Andreas Gomez, 36 years, replacing the Bazile’s professional player Costa, whose contract with the team came to an end.

The new player will wear the number 12 jersey after he passed all his medical tests.

H.E. Abdullah Al Darmaki, Vice Chairman of Al Ain Sport Games Company, stated that signing the new contract with the new player comes in realization of the desire of the company to keep going on the track of victories and clenching more titles. “We hope that the new player will be an added value to the team efforts in the coming challenges.”

Worth mentioning that the player will play his first match with the team today against the Hatta Volleyball Team as part of the General Volleyball League.

(WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has congratulated the leadership and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt on opening Al Fattah Al-Alem Mosque and the Cathedral of Nativity at the proposed new capital of Egypt.

“Radical ideologies and fanaticism can be conquered only through the commitment to the values of love, peaceful co-existence and tolerance,” Sheikh Hazza said, affirming that Egypt is steadily forging ahead toward a bright future thanks to the determination of its people and prudent policies pursued by its leadership.

“We congratulate the Arab Republic of Egypt on the opening of Al Fattah Al-Alem Mosque and Cathedral of Nativity.”

In the presence of a high-profile Emirati delegation, President of Egypt Abdulfattah Al Sisi earlier today opened the Al-Fattah Al-Alem Mosque and Cathedral of Nativity at the proposed new capital of Egypt.

For the first time in AFC Asian Cup history, eight stadiums will welcome teams from across the continent, in what will be the competition’s biggest ever tournament.

In just five days time, hosts United Arab Emirates will face Bahrain at Zayed Sports City stadium on Saturday 5 January, 8.00pm kick-off.

The capital city will be the backdrop for both the opening game and the highly anticipated final, with 20 games throughout the four-week tournament taking place across three stadiums in Abu Dhabi.

The historic and iconic Zayed Sports City stadium is the showpiece of the tournament, with a capacity of 43,000 meaning it is the largest venue for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019. Situated just 20km from Abu Dhabi International airport, the easily accessible stadium has played host to a number of international events from prestigious football and sporting finals, to concerts from some of the world’s biggest music stars.

Also welcoming eight nations to the capital city for group stage games, Mohammad Bin Zayed stadium has seen numerous enhancements and capacity increases in recent years, now allowing attendances of over 40,000 for games at the stadium which plays host to football and cricket games.

Completing the makeup of venues in Abu Dhabi is Al Nahyan stadium, a multi-purpose sporting stadium which has undergone significant enhancements ahead of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, as it gears up to host five games during the tournament.

Speaking of the stadiums across the UAE, Tournament Director for the Local Organizing Committee, His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, commented:

“Significant enhancements have taken place across venues in each host city to ensure that teams and supporters have the best facilities throughout this tournament with the eyes of Asia and beyond watching with excitement.

“With 51 games taking place in the biggest ever AFC Asian Cup, venues have the latest technology to ensure perfect playing conditions, as we bring the latest in grass and pitch technology to the region for the first time.

“Each stadium has its own character and qualities, from being up close to the action in compact venues, to excellent elevated views of games in some of the biggest stadiums in the region.”

Another stadium with impressive enhancement is Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai. Now boasting state-of-the-art facilities, the all-seater stadium is located close to Dubai airport and the city’s metro line, allowing supporters easy access to the 15,000 capacity stadium which will host six games during the tournament.

Also hosting games in Dubai, Rashid Stadium is situated across the water of Dubai Creek and will host five games throughout the tournament.

Close to the two stadiums in Dubai, host city Sharjah will see seven Arabic nations compete in the five group stage games which will be held in the 11,000 capacity Sharjah Stadium.

Into Al Ain, just over an hour’s drive from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, fans of ten different nations can enjoy group stage games at the impressive Hazza Bin Zayed stadium, which will also host a three of the knock-out stage games, including one of the semi-finals. Home to Al Ain FC, the 25,000 all seater stadium has won numerous awards for its architecture and facilities, impressing with its white paneled design, which is representative of a palm tree, with the ability to light up in many different colours.

Also in Al Ain, Khalifa Bin Zayed stadium has undergone restructuring, allowing capacities of 16,000 fans to enjoy the six games which will be hosted in the multi-purpose stadium.

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(WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has emphasised that the achievements made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, know no limits.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has dedicated his life for the sake of the homeland and his far-sighted vision has become a source of permanent inspiration for generations to come,” Sheikh Hazza said in statements marking the 50th anniversary of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s assuming his first mission in service to his homeland and people.

“Fifty years of inexhaustible giving and noble deeds saw a leader dedicating his life for the sake of his homeland. A leader who inspired the core principles of development from late Sheikh Zayed and late Sheikh Rashid to build the present and the future of his nation,” Sheikh Hazza added.

“In the Zayed Centennial and in the presence of his companion Mohamed bin Zayed, he will continue the journey of building. Coinciding with the ‘Year of Zayed’, this 50th anniversary bodes well for more national glories to come. And with the ‘Year of Tolerance’ dawning upon us, we are filled with more joy and pride of a genius leader embodying the essence of tolerance.”

The UAE fans were a vivid illustration of the success behind the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018.

Real Madrid were crowned the champions for a third successive year, and were winning a record fourth title while the tournament host Al Ain created a piece of history as the first UAE club to reach the final.

Al Ain stunned the world when they setup a final showdown with the European champions after victories over the Oceania champions Team Wellington, the African champions Esperance de Tunis and the Copa Libertadores winner River Plate in the semi-final.

Every game, both at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium in Al Ain and the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, drew capacity crowds, and the final between Real Madrid and Al Ain had more than 40,000 fans in attendance.

The fans contributed to the success of the event and a pat on the back to the excellent work from the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for an outstanding show that they presented throughout the 10 days.

The Club World Cup was also a timely event that served the LOC to test their work for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 which will be held in four cities – Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah – from January 5 to February 1.

The LOC of the Asian Cup is anticipating a similar response from the fans to fill the stadiums in every game as in the Club World Cup.

Ahmed Al Kaabi, Director of Public Relations at Al Ain Club, said they were coordinating and planning at the highest level for the Al Ain fans to get behind the UAE national team.

“We are currently working with the UAE Football Federation and the LOC, in order to bring the fans together for our games,” he said.

“The plan of action for the Asian Cup will be presented in workshop scheduled at the FA’s headquarters on Sunday.

“We, as the fans of Al Ain, are committed to support our national team at any time and any place. We have done it in the past as travelling fans and this time we’ll be behind our team when we host the 24-team tournament.”

The UAE are in Group A and meet Bahrain in the opener 8pm at the Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Football fever is spreading throughout the United Arab Emirates, with iconic buildings being transformed and given vibrant makeovers to celebrate the highly-anticipated AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

Football fans in the UAE will now be greeted by grand footballing imagery ahead of the tournament which kicks off next month, when 24 nations compete for the most prestigious prize on the Continent in the biggest sporting event in the Middle East.

The latest iconic buildings to become part of the AFC Asian Cup celebration are the 40-storey Chamber of Commerce building in the popular Corniche area of Abu Dhabi and Nations Galleria, both feature football specific messages across their impressive facades

Fans making the regular drive between Abu Dhabi and Dubai are also seeing AFC Asian Cup branding across Sheikh Zayed Road, which will also serve as a major route between venues by teams and fans alike throughout the four-week tournament which kicks-off on Saturday, January 5, 2019.

Speaking on the tournament and the excitement for the AFC Asian Cup which is spreading across the country, Tournament Director for the Local Organising Committee, His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, commented:

“It’s important for teams and supporters coming to the UAE to feel a warm welcome and know that such a prestigious football tournament is happening here and that we are proud hosts.

“We want everyone, fans and even non-fans, to know the monumental scale of hosting an Asian Cup, which is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, not to be missed. And we want people to feel the spirit of the tournament through its colors, its action and its atmosphere everywhere they look.”

The football journey for fans visiting the UAE begins from the moment they board one of the hundreds of specially designed AFC Asian Cup taxis to the stadiums or their hotel.

Taxi drivers will be donning the famous AFC Asian Cup icon and colours across their cars, inspiring fans to rally behind their countries throughout the tournament, whether playing in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain or Sharjah.

With excitement growing and the ultimate showpiece drawing ever closer to kick-off, fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

(WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has said that declaration of the 2019 as the ‘Year of Tolerance’ by President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crowns the cultural approach adopted by the UAE throughout its shining history.

His Highness added that it is also a message to the world that the current challenges and building future of generations will not be achieved without promoting the values of coexistence and dialogue through adopting tolerance as a way of life.