Accredited last season as the most successful UAE club boasting 12 league titles and starting the current season with winning the Super Cup, Al Ain FC and in cooperation with Hazza Bin Stadium Management, launched new ticket categories intended to attract more supporters to its fanbase.

Designed to meet the requirements of different fans groups, the tickets will allow holders to attend all home games played by Al Ain team at the Arabian Gulf League, the Gulf Cup of Nations and the AFC Champions League. Rates range from AED 10 to AED 250.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Mohamed Al Qadi, HBZ Stadium Operations Director, said, “Hopefully, the new tickets will increase the attendance rate at the Stadium which in turn will incentivize the players to maximize their efforts and unleash their potential in order to achieve further titles and delight their fans. We’re confident the new tickets will attract large numbers of fans to HBZ Stadium.”

Fans are advised to visit www.ticketmaster.ae where they can find further details about the new tickets and rates and can also buy their tickets, choose the ticket category and their seats online. Tickets are also available at the office boxes from 16:00 – 21:00 three days before each match.

Mr. Al Qadi explained that “The range of ticket rates is meant by Al Ain FC and HBZ Stadium management to provide different kinds of tickets that meet the taste of different groups of fans to enjoy watching football matches. This facility will attract more spectators to the Stadium and will consequently enhance UAE positon at the regional and international sports arena.”

Ticket Categories & Rates:

Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club announced its plans to participate in the National Sports Day, an initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, through organizing a sports carnival aimed at the young club players, school students, Emirati public and Al Ain visitors, which will take place on November 25, 2015.

Al Ain Club extended the invitation to all members of the community to attend the sports carnival, which kicks off on the evening of Wednesday, November 25. It will boast a series of sport events organized by Al Ain Sports Games Company, including competitions and training sessions, targeting the younger age groups, in a number of team sports such as basketball, handball and volleyball which will be held at the sports’ hall and outdoor pitches at Al Qattara Stadium from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm

Outdoor training pitches at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium will host the individual game activities; including jujitsu and taekwondo, for both male and female participants from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Activities also include swimming sessions at Al Tamayoz Primary Model School in the city of Al Ain, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The swimming sessions will see the participation of all club swimmers, Al Ain public and private school students, the Emirati public and Al Ain visitors.

“Our participation in the National Sports Day is a response to our belief in the importance of building a culture of sports in the community, and living a healthy life where sports play a key role in our everyday lives. This follows the Club’s strategy aimed at investing in the people of the community”, said Khamis Obaid Al Kaabi, Deputy Chairman of Al Ain Club Sport Games

“Events will be held under the supervision of a group of top coaches from Al Ain Sports Games Company in order to ensure the provision of guidance and training in a professional manner which will benefit the participants.” He added.

The events of the National Sports Day, organized by Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, will also include interaction with the public and visitors, to raise awareness through simplified explanations of the most basic skills of each game as well as awarding participants, which will serve as trophies of their participation in Al Ain Sport and Cultural Club’s carnival.

The UAE is witnessing the organization of the National Sports Day initiative for the first time, with the slogan: “UAE Unites Us”, which is held under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, as a unique sports event.

Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club and the National Archives of the United Arab Emirates signed an MoU, under the guidance of Al Ain Club’s senior management, in order to collect, document and preserve the Ainawi Archive on paper and electronically, including photos, documents, maps and films which demonstrate its rich career life. This is the first experiment of its kind for preserving and documenting sports archive in the country.

The MoU was signed by HE Dr. Abdullah Al-Rayes, Director-General of the National Archives, and HE Hamad Nekhairat Al Ameri, Managing Director of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club. The MoU was signed during a press conference on Sunday, December 6, 2015, at the “Memories of a Nation” exhibition, the National Archive’s platform at Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2015, which was attended by members of the club’s board of directors and members of the National Archives’ senior management.

Under this convention, the National Archives will be responsible for applying its expertise and international standards in preserving, documenting, and archiving. This includes provision of advisory, technical and training services for improving the staff’s competency in the archive department at Al Ain Club. The club will be handing over copies of archived materials, including photos, documents and maps, to the National Archives for preservation, protection and safety.

During his speech at the press conference, HE Dr. Abdullah Al Rayes, Director-General of the National Archives, welcomed the collaboration with Al Ain Club, explaining that the sports archive, which documents the history and development of sports in the country, is an important part of the country’s archives which is preserved by the National Archives.

“What the UAE sports are achieving on local and global levels deserves to be archived and preserved for generations. Besides, preserving it supports sports in general and urges sports clubs to do more in order to achieve victory for their country, which will be passed down from generation to generation and cited by researchers and those who are involved in writing the UAE’s sports history.” Al Rayes added.

The Director-General of the National Archives wished for the collaboration between the National Archives and Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club to be an example for all local sports clubs to organize their archives and document their achievements and be a part of the country’s memorable history.

Dr. Al Rayes also expressed his delight after signing the MoU, highlighting that signing this MoU will provide the required information from the archives of Al Ain Club in record time, which makes it a habitat for researchers and those concerned with sports. His Excellency also pointed out the importance of preserving sports documents so that they would live longer, given that they are saved in an environment which practices the latest preservation methods and global standards. He then thanked the management of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club for their good response and cooperation, explaining that he highly appreciated the club’s important position in the UAE and wishing both parties would achieve the goals of this MoU.

During his speech at the press conference, HE Hamad Nekhairat Al Ameri stressed the important role of the National Archives’ in building an electronic platform for documenting the history and heritage of the UAE in specific, and the Arab Gulf region in general. His Excellency also thanked the National Archives for its commitment to strengthening its cooperation with Al Ain Club, noting that this agreement will expand the horizons of strategic partnerships in the fields of training, developing archiving policies, and exchanging experiences.

HE Hamad Nekhairat Al Ameri described the agreement as the first step for perpetuating the most important moments in Al Ain Sport and Cultural Club’s history. He said, “Today we establish the early steps towards documenting this deep-rooted club’s history, which is full of achievements and sports championships ever since it was founded in 1968. This club has known several sport pioneers, generation after generation, and its walls has embraced victorious moments, challenges and stories which symbolizes will and determination. The club was also managed by leaders who were dedicated to serve it, that today we stand before a giant sports fortress, resembling a source of joy and happiness over the years.”

“Through this partnership, we prove to Al Ain Club’s supporters and all sports fans in the country that, in addition to working for a brighter, more successful future and moving steadily towards coping with our country’s development, the management of Al Ain Club takes historical value into consideration since it enlightens future generations and inspires them to put more effort and give more. Documenting and archiving history is the foundation for helping the current generation of managers and players walk in the footsteps of past pioneers, and pass values of devotion to work and love for Al Ain Club to future generations as a way for raising the UAE flag in regional and international conferences.” Al Ameri added.

The agreement comes within the efforts put into recording Al Ain Club’s history at the National Archives’ headquarter using the highest technical specifications, in order to demonstrate the club’s history through manuscripts, historical maps and trophies which reflect the club’s achieved victories. Thus, providing the club’s and sports’ fans with a museum that takes them on a historic journey in time to live the moments of glory and pride, and renew their vows of loyalty and belonging.

The management of Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, which was named the Stadium of the Year 2014 by StadiumDB.com, announces the launch of “Ladies Day at HBZ Stadium” on Saturday, Dec. 26th, 2015, which is a ladies-only event aiming at creating a safe sports environment for ladies to enjoy fun sports activities. The Ladies Day includes many activities which raise awareness about women’s role in sustainable development of the sports sector, and encourage them to lead a healthy lifestyle through participating in different sports activities. Tickets are sold for 35 AED at Al Ain Sports Club’s official store at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

“Ladies Day at HBZ Stadium” event targets ladies of different age groups from inside and outside Al Ain city, including businesswomen, housewives, college students, and employees. Attendees will enjoy a carnival which reflects Emirati women’s recognition of their national role in promoting sports in the UAE.

The management of HBZ Stadium stated that this event reflects its faith in the importance of facilitating everything necessary for women to engage in sports, because of their core role in preparing future generations, boys and girls, and raising them to love sports; whether by attending, playing or cheering at stadiums, which contributes to strengthening the UAE’s position in international sports.

The management also explained that this event aims at encouraging stadium attendance and turning it into the new Emirati generation’s cultural habit, given that cheering at football stadiums motivates creativity and devotion, which leads to raising our country’s flag in championships. The mother’s role stands out when they escort children to the stadium, and teach them from an early age to love the feeling of belonging to their country, in addition to competing with determination for its sake.

The list of activities at “Ladies Day at HBZ Stadium” includes a number of group exercises, which emphasize the importance of team spirit, in addition to meditation exercises, Zumba classes conducted by fitness coaches from “Gold’s Gym”, one of the country’s most important fitness centers. Also, a range of medical tests for the prevention of diabetes and obesity will be provided, and skincare advice from Al Dawaa Medical Center’s specialists will be given, in addition to many other activities.

Hazza bin Zayed Stadium is considered one of the top sports facilities in the region and the world when it comes to taking women’s needs and aspirations into account. The stadium offers entrance gates, seating areas, private cabins, that are designed to provide the highest level of luxury and privacy for families, women, and children.

“Ladies Day at HBZ Stadium” isn’t the first event dedicated for family, women, and children. The stadium’s management launched “Train in Al Ain” program, which is a weekly social event, held on a weekly basis at the stadium in collaboration with “Active Life – Daman”, that encourages women to lead a healthy lifestyle through participating in a number of sports activities and medical check-ups.

Moreover, the stadium’s management offers the “Aynaoui card”; the annual membership designed to grant women a bundle of privileges and benefits, exclusive discounts, and exceptional offers from the most famous and largest brands of travel, tourism, hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, health clubs, and beauty centers. Add to that a variety of exclusive products available only at Al Ain FC Official Store, which include sports accessories and women’s sportswear, in addition to kids’ sportswear, cheerleading equipment and souvenirs.

The stadium’s management continuously organizes entertainment, social and national events, to bestow joy and pleasure among all family members during football matches at the stadium, through carnivals, exotic masquerade shows performed by acrobatic teams, and a number of kids’ activities, ranging from face coloring to traditional and folk music concerts.

Al Ain Water, one of most prominent food and consumer product companies, along with Al Foah, one of the largest date exporters, extended their partnership with Al Ain Sports & Cultural Club. The extension was announced during a press conference held at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, in the presence of HE Hamad Nekhairat Al Ameri, Managing Director of Al Ain Sports & Cultural Club, HE Musallem Obaid Al Ameri, CEO of Al Foah, Mr. Rashid Hamad Al Thaheri, Vice Chairman at Agthia Group, HE Mohammad Abdullah Bin Bdwah, Board Member at Al Ain Football Company, HE Ghanem Al Hajeri, Chairman of Al Ain Sports Games Company, and the football players, Ismail Ahmed, Mohammed Fayez and Ahmad Berman.

HE Hamad Nekhairat Al Ameri, Managing Director of Al Ain Sports & Cultural Club, thanked the team of Al Ain Water and Al Foah for trusting and supporting the club through extending their partnership, which contributes to the club athletes’ ability to represent their country at local and international sport forums, benefiting both parties and UAE sports in general.

Al Ameri explained that the club’s success and accomplishments, which made it a local and international pioneer, is achieved through the huge aid it receives from their highnesses the sheikhs, and the loyal fans’ support, as well as the partners’ and sponsors’ support, which contributed over the years to the foundation of sports sponsorship that plays a major role in the sports sector’s worldwide growth.

“We assure you that we will double our investment and marketing efforts to promote the club’s status, which attracts successful investments and attracts the largest regional and international brands, to achieve the vision of our wise leadership and translate the remarkable, unlimited support sports clubs are receiving from sports councils.” He added.

HE Musallem Obaid Al Ameri, CEO of Al Foah, said: “Extending our partnership with Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club is part of our responsibility to support sport activities in the country and our commitment to being part of community events and sport activities which support the youth sector and promote sports values among society through partnering with one of the most important local, regional and continental clubs.”

“This partnerships is in line with our wise leadership’s vision, which encourages institutions and organizations to create partnerships with the sports sector, in order to achieve more in sports and keep up with the country’s development and growth. Therefore, this sponsorship will promote Al Foah’s status as one of the most important national companies specialized in the development of the palm and dates sector in the country.” Al Ameri added.

In a statement by Rashid Hamad Al Thaheri, Vice Chairman at Agthia Group, he said: “Today, we are delighted to announce renewing and extending our partnership with Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, one of the most important sports fortresses in the UAE, in order to promote sports across the country. And I would like to emphasize that Agthia Group is committed to supporting national sports institutions and activities.”

“Through our partnership with Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, Al Ain Water Company, one of the group’s main products, will work on introducing a number of initiatives to encourage sports and motivate the public to participate and exercise since we are committed to supporting society in all aspects, especially sports, and encouraging skilled amateurs or professional athletes.” He added.

This partnership reflects the leading position Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club has reached, which confirms it’s an organization that believes in the importance of sports sponsorship and the need to promote partnerships and collaboration with government and private organizations, which ensures the sports sector sustain its important community role and contribute effectively in developing the sports system in the country.

Al Ain football team held the top spot in the Arabian Gulf League table after inflicting a 2-1 defeat on their visiting team of Al Sharjah today evening ‘Monday’ at HBZ Stadium at Round 3 of the tournament.

Goals from Rashid Issa and Ryan Babel at 6th and 25th minutes respectively secured a 2-0 lead for the hosts in the first half, while the visitors narrowed the deficit to 2-1 when Renato Caja scored at the stoppage time.

Winning 3 extra points, Al Ain overhauls a 9-point lead in the league, while sinks to the bottom of the table with zero win.

Al Ain Dominates
From the very start, Al Ain players dominated the game; they put their visitors under continuous pressure through the depth and the flanks until Rashid Issa surprised Al Sharjah with an early goal when he took advantage of a ‘skillful’ left-sided cross from Ryan Babel giving his side a 1-0 lead at 6th minute.

Al Ain players continued to push forward trying to double their lead; at 11th minute Emmanuel Emenike culminated a set of short and brisk passes with a powerful kick from inside the box, but Al Sharjah’s goalie, Mohamed Yousef, skillfully blocked it.

Babel Stars
Ryan Babel had the scoreboard read 2-0 at 25th minute when he fired a powerful shot from the edge of the box after a fantastic one-two with Mohamed Fayez.

Just a few seconds before the end, Emenike messed up the chance to triple Al Ain’s lead when he received a well-played pass from Omar Abdurrahman but his shot went a few centimeters past the post.

Bastos’ Power
Al Ain’s Brazilian midfielder, Fellipe Bastos, had a try to score but his powerful long-distance free kick was deflected by the fingertips of Al Sharjah’s goalkeeper and then hit the goalpost to become a corner kick, but they messed it up at 52nd minute.

Khalid Fares Well
Thanks to his concentration and timely intervention, Khalid Issa, Al Ain’s goalie, was able to save his net from a powerful and tricky shot kicked by Wanderley Santos at 59th minute.

Penalty Kick
Again, luck denied Emenike to score when he penetrated fast from the right flank and kicked a powerful shot that bounced backed by the post; Babel controlled the ball with his chest and re-shot it, but Al Sharjah’s defender, Abdullah Ghanem, blocked the ball with both hands. Surprisingly, referee Hamad Ali did not award a penalty kick to Al Ain and ordered to continue the game at 62nd minute.

Another Try by Al Ain
Mohamed Abdurrahman had the chance to score after a fantastic give-and-go with Emenike, but his attempt was spoiled by Mohamed Yousef’s knack at 85th minute.

At the stoppage time, Renato Caja managed to score for his side narrowing the difference to 2-1 at 93rd minute. A few seconds before the final whistle, Hamdan Qassem of Al Sharjah was shown a red card for deliberately tackling ‘Amouri’ who was not carrying the ball. Very soon, the match came to an end with Al Ain’s 2-1 win over Al Sharjah.

Al Ain 2
Goals: Rashid Issa and Ryan Babel at 6th and 25th minutes respectively.

Lineup: Khalid Issa, Mohamed Ahmad, Ismail Ahmad, Mohannad Al Enezi, Mohamed Fayez, Fellipe Bastos, Lee Myung-Joo, Ryan Babel, Omar Abdurrahman, Rashid Issa, Emmanuel Emenike.

Substitutions: Fellipe Bastos, Rashid Issa and Ryan Babel were replaced by Ahmad Berman, Ibrahim Diaky and Mohamed Abdurrahman at 61st, 71st and 78th minutes respectively.

Yellow Card: Fellipe Bastos at 30th minute.

Red Card: None.

Al Sharjah 1
Goals: Renato Caja at 93rd minute.

Lineup: Mohamed Yousef, Saif Rashid, Ramos Maurício, Abdulla Ghanem, Hamdan Qassem, Mohamed Sroor, Waleed Ahmad, Hamad Ibrahim, Renato Caja, Maicosuel Reginaldo, Wanderley Santos.

Substitutions:Saif Rashid, Waleed Ahmad and Maicosuel Reginaldo were replaced by Maheen Khalifa, Omar Jumaa and Yousef Saeed at 46th, 60th and 77th minutes respectively.

Yellow Card: Waleed Ahmad, 41”; Mohamed Sroor, 59”; Hamdan Qassem, 94”.

Red Card: Hamdan Qassem, 94”.

Referees
The game was presided over by referee Hamad Ali Yousef, assisted by Hassan Al Mahri as 1st Assistant Referee, Qais Al Khadeem as 2nd Assistant Referee, Issa Khalifa as 1st Additional Referee, Khalid Najem as 2nd Additional Referee, Abdul Ghaffar Basheer as Fourth Official, Ali Makhloof as Referee Observer and Waleed Dhaher as Game Controller.

Attendance Rate
1,897 spectators attended the match at HBZ Stadium.

Video: Al Ain 2 and Al Sharjah 1 in Arabian Gulf League
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Speaking in a press conference after his team’s 1-2 loss to Al Ain, Paulo Bonamigo, Al Sharjah’s Brazilian coach, admitted that his men did not fare well as expected and failed to ward off the first goal resulting from a give-and-go set though they had already trained to address similar maneuvers.

He also admitted that it was not easy for his players to draw level with a team so strong like Al Ain with tough and balanced defensive line.

“We scored a consolation, but it was too late; the players didn’t move from the defensive to the offensive formation as quickly as required during 1st half; that was our mistake which we addressed in 2nd half and that’s why our performance got better.” He explained.

“The second half was more offensive, we and our rivals traded offenses; unfortunately, the early goal affected us.” He added.

Asked how negatively his team’s journey in the tournament would be influenced by their third consecutive loss, Bonamigo replied “We played versus 3 strong teams beginning with Al Shabab, then Al Jazeera and finally Al Ain; we tried to show the best of our potential but in most cases luck was not on our side. However, nothing, even good performance, will plead for a team as long as they fail to gain the three points of a match.”

“That’s not to say that the schedule has wronged us as we were selected to play against 3 strong teams at the beginning of the tournament because if not now we have to play against them later. In fact, our first five scheduled games are very strong as we’re expected to play Al Nasr and Al Ahli consecutively.” He concluded.

Exhilarated with his team’s 2-1 home win over Al Sharjah, Zlatko Dalić, Al Ain’s Croatian coach, opened the post-match press conference by congratulating Al Ain fans on gaining complete points out of their postseason three straight victories wishing at the same time good luck to Al Sharjah team.
He regretted that luck was not on his players’ side as they missed several opportunities to score. “We controlled the game, but I’m not happy to conceive a last-second goal which happened because the players lost concentration and the required formation at the end; we have to address this issue to avoid similar mistakes next time.” he commented.

“Our most valuable payoff tonight is that we have scooped 9 points out of 3 consecutive wins; it’s fantastic!” he added.

Reasoning why his team’s performance dropped down after Fellipe Bastos was withdrawn, Zlatko said, “He was awarded a yellow card during 1st half; so in anticipation of a potential cautionable foul, I decided to replace him with Ahmad Berman.”

“As for the players,” he continued “They thought while in the locker room during the halftime that they had already secured the game in their favor; I’ll talk to them about the issue in our immediate training session. I was not happy with their performance in 2nd half; they need to be serious all the time.”

Commenting on the goalkeeper’s mistake that would have cost him a goal similar to Al Dhafra’s goal against Al Ahli today, Zlatko said “It’s common to see the goalkeepers move forward in any match exactly as it happened in Barcelona’s last game against Juventus; I’ll draw his attention to this issue. However, he made many saves and put on an excellent performance tonight.”

Video: Al Ain 4 and Al Wasl 0 in U17 League
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