(WAM) — H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has sent a congratulatory message to Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman on his country’s National Day.

In the message, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed expressed his heartfelt congratulations to Sultan Qaboos and the brotherly people of Oman on the country’s 48th National Day celebrations, wishing them continued progress and prosperity.

Tunisia’s Assistant Head Coach of Al Ain First Handball Team, Yousri Al Mazeni, stated that the team performed well against Heliolido Handball Team in the friendly match held on 15th November 2018 which ended in favor of the Boss by 22-20.

This was the second friendly match scheduled to be held as part of the away training camp in preparation for the new season.

Al Mazeni expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the whole squad despite the quality and well-organized team they played against. “Players were able to achieve the most important thing, i.e. to be fully focused and to balance their efforts during the whole 60 minutes. They indeed overcame certain negative points, specifically losing their energy in the last and deadly minutes of past matches.” He underlined that a great portion of the training sessions are dedicated to boost the players’ physical fitness.

The assistant coach hailed the spirit of the team and great cooperation during the training sessions and determination to push themselves to the limit. He stressed: “This is the first training camp for such a significant squad combining between the young and well experienced players which led to an intense competition among the players to be included in the starting lineup.” He concluded that the team’s captain plays a ley role in guiding and advising the team players in and off the playing court.

Al Ain First Volleyball Team star player, Ahmad Al Deeb Al Dhaheri, emphasized that he gained plentiful advantages during the Cairo’s training camp at the personal level. “It was a great opportunity indeed for me to be ready for playing matches and to be in harmony with the team players particularly I was forced to be away due to my back injury and the surgery operation I underwent that kept me away from training and matches.”

He added that he did well during the away camp and he is back to his normal high level and did take part in all the friendly matches as a key player in the starting lineup. He stated: “Despite losing all the friendly matches, I am sure the team is fully ready to play the matches of the coming competitions this season.”

The medical doctor of the team, Dr. Yasir Farooq, stated that Ahmad Deeb enjoys amazing determination following being subject to surgical operations in the spinal vertebrae 5 and 6, but he due to the player’s determination and commitment to enroll the rehabilitation and recovery program he is back with full power.

As for the team status in general, Dr. Yasir stated that the team has no injured players and all players are fully ready following adopting a diet program during the away camp held in Cairo.

Football fans throughout the continent are gearing up for the biggest-ever AFC Asian Cup which kicks off in just 50 days’ time in the United Arab Emirates.

For the first time, 24 nations will compete for the most prestigious prize in Asian football in what will be the biggest sporting event to be held in the region.

With the action kicking-off on January 5, 2019 when hosts UAE take on Bahrain at Zayed Sports City stadium in Abu Dhabi, the exciting build-up has already seen thousands of fans participate in a wide range of exciting activations, which is spreading enthusiasm for the tournament throughout communities.

Speaking on the countdown to the competition, Tournament Director for the Local Organising Committee, His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani commented: “Before the first ball has even been kicked, this is already the biggest sporting event we’ve ever hosted because so many have played a part in setting the stage.

“We have received so much energy and enthusiasm from the communities, and this in turn drives our determination to ensure that the stadiums and facilities are ready for a spectacular tournament to take place.

“Now I call on people to bring that drive to the matches, show their support and really get behind their countries wherever possible.”

The UAE’s largest-ever schools’ programme has reached more than 75,000 youngsters with an engaging programme comprising educational football challenges, introducing them to the cultures of the 24 participating Asian nations and inspiring students to lend their support throughout the tournament.

Women’s participation in sport also got a big boost from the UAE’s first involvement with the AFC’s ‘It’s My Game’ initiative, which witnessed a large number of attendees join in on inspiring career talks and grassroots football activities led by the UAE Women’s national team.

AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said: “Across the Continent, the focus has now shifted to the UAE and there is an undeniable sense of excitement among Asia’s passionate fans.

After four years of incredible hard work, we are now just days away from the biggest and best-ever edition of the AFC Asian Cup. Together with the LOC, the AFC is committed to creating a true celebration and festival for our fans, one that will showcase Asian football at its finest.

Football fans of all ages were presented with opportunities to test their mettle, with dozens of amateur teams competing in the Community Tournaments while Interactive Roadshows toured throughout the UAE, enabling visitors take on the crossbar challenge and compete in shooting accuracy drills.

With enthusiasm throughout the region at an all-time high, volunteering roles were significantly oversubscribed to fill the available 4,000 spaces which make up key responsibilities throughout the four-week tournament.

On the ground, significant enhancements have been made across all eight stadiums, from external fan zones, to enhancing ticketing systems and catering facilities, alongside the installation of tens of thousands of additional seats to allow a range of ticket choices throughout the tournament.

Al Ain Volleyball Team player Mohammed Suleiman stressed that the team has achieved the pre-set goals in the current away training camp held in Cairo in preparation for the league competitions scheduled to be kicked off on 23rd November 2018. Al Ain is to play against Ajman in matchweek 1 of the General Volleyball League.

Suleiman pointed out that the team has achieved a significant level of harmony among the players and they are fully ready for the league and compensate losing the title of the Vice-President’s Cup.

Noteworthy, the team has concluded the away training camp by playing against Suez Team who won Al Ain Team by 3-1. The Al Ain mission will fly back on this coming Thursday.

The star player of Al Ain First Handball Team emphasized that the current team’s away training camp in Cairo which will last until 22nd November 2018 is meant to promote harmony among players, given that team has no absences and 3 new players have already joined the squad since the inception of the current season, namely: Abdul Rahman, Monteser and Ahmad Saqer.

“I am optimistic about this training camp taking in consideration that the team is scheduled to play against big Egyptian teams,” he said. Al Bloushi sees that Tunisian and Egyptian teams are the best in the Arab world.

He added that the coaching team under the command of the head coach Tunisia’s Mohammed Abu Ghazaleh who spares no effort to push the players to the limit to serve the best interests of the team during the camp and the coming season.

(WAM) – H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has hailed the 21st Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference, ADIPEC, as a spectacular event.

Sheikh Hazza said in a statement today this year’s ADIPEC, which is held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the follow up of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is timed with the new phase for the development of the vital oil and gas sector, following the steps taken recently by the Supreme Petroleum Council.

Today marks just one month to go until the start of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 as an enthralling weekend of football saw the AFC and CAF champions crowned to secure their places in the tournament and an international club giant from CONMEBOL set to confirm their spot later this month…

Football fans across the globe can now start counting down the days until seven of the world’s top club teams descend on the UAE for the chance to battle it out for international club football’s top prize and the chance to become world club champions.

Following an action-packed two legs in the AFC and CAF Champions League finals, Kashima Antlers from Japan and Esperance de Tunis, from Tunisia, were crowned champions of Asia and Africa this weekend, confirming their tickets to the UAE and joining Real Madrid CF, Team Wellington FC, CD Guadalajara and Al Ain FC at next month’s tournament.

With less than 30 days to go now until the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 kicks off, fans around the world can still purchase their tickets by visiting fifa.com/cwc/tickets.

And with six out of seven world-class teams now confirmed, the final spot for the tournament will be secured by a club giant from Argentina on November 25. Rivals Club Atlético River Plate and Boca Juniors will head into the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final after the

first leg, played at Boca’s Estadio Alberto J Armando, known is Buenos Aires as La Bombonera, ended 2-2.

“Excitement for the tournament has been building for a while and now it is reaching a whole new level with six of the seven teams confirmed and the final line-up to be confirmed next week. We’re going to have some of the best and most decorated club sides in world football here in the UAE in 30 days’ time,” His Excellency Aref Hamed Al Awani, Tournament Director, FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018, Local Organizing Committee, said.

“We welcome teams returning to the UAE and some that are coming to compete and experience authentic Arabian hospitality for the first time. This tournament represents a unique opportunity to live the game by watching world-famous clubs in action and experiencing a range of cultures and traditions.”

The FIFA Club World Cup is being held in the UAE for the fourth time this year having previously been hosted in the country in 2009, 2010 and 2017.

Al Ain Volleyball star player, Khamis Al Bloushi, stressed that the team gained numerous advantages during the away training camp which will last until 15th November despite losing their third friendly match against Egypt’s Al Zamalek Volleyball Team by 3-1.

Al Bloushi pointed out: “The aim of holding such training camps is to boost the level of harmony among players and increasing the levels of physical fitness. Indeed, we did achieve both of these targets.”

He added: “Strong friendly matches we played against the Egyptian teams are of great added value to the team’s experience and a good starting point for the 2018-2019 season.”

Noteworthy, the team is scheduled to play their last friendly match against Al Swais Team on Tuesday 13th November 2018 at the indoor court of the Olympic Center in Al Maadi.

Al Ain First Handball Team was held to draw in the match they played against Egypt Olympic Handball Team by 22-22 each. The match was held at the indoor court of the Olympic Center in Al Maadi District in Cairo. The away training camp will last until 22nd November 2018 in preparation of the 2018-2019 league.

The first half ended by Al Ain taking the lead by 12-10 prior the end of the match by a draw.

The Tunisian head coach of Al Ain team, Mohammed Abu Ghazaleh, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance and maintaining their high-quality level of performance until the last minute of the match despite the fact that players are exhausted due to holding morning and evening training sessions.

The head coach also expressed his satisfaction with the location of the Olympic Center as it is so close to the training fields. He concluded his statement by hailing the players’ discipline and their high sense of responsibility with regard to the coming challenges in 2018-2019 season.