I’d like to thank you Al-Ain Club for rewarding me with my first professional contract… Hazem Abbas: Club capabilities and my father’s advice paved the way for me to the world of professionalism
Describing the feelings of contracting with a top Asian club is not an easy tas
Alfred Schreuder is a holistic coach who is close to all team’s players
I was surprised by the players’ fingerprint “attendance” system, and I experience here the true meaning of professionalism
Being excluded from the lineup sometimes bothers me… but I am a professional player
I’m used to participate in youth teams, but the feeling of joining the first national team is “different”
I practically applied my university studies at the Club by benefiting from the nutrition specialist
Maintaining balance is one of the most important challenges facing all professional football players
Al-Ain’s fans are the most important reason for the victories and achievements of “Al- Zaeem“
Important moment
Hazem Mohammed Abbas, Al-Ain’s player, said in his first commentary on signing his first professional contract with Al-Ain FC: “Honestly, it is very difficult to describe the feelings in this important moment for me, as a professional player at the beginning of my journey with one of the greatest clubs in the UAE and Asia. There is definitely a sense of pride, honor, and happiness that cannot be described in the most beautiful words.”
Desire and ambition
Hazem confirmed, in response to a question about the most important reasons that led him to the first team, saying: “There was a clear goal that I set from the beginning for myself, which is to reach the first team. When I was young, along with my teammates, we used to see Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, the training pitch of the first team, in front of us as we took our first steps in football. It was a motivating scene, and the desire was present. So, yes, I expected to reach the first team because I exert the efforts to achieve my goal, and I thank Allah who enabled me to sign my first professional contract.”
Father’s advice
Regarding the specific details and the prescription that enabled him to achieve his dream, Hazem said: “There is no specific prescription, but I believe that there are fundamental pillars that every person should follow to achieve their ambition. As I mentioned earlier, the desire, seriousness, diligence, hard work, commitment, and the Club’s conducive environment, thanks to Allah, the Almighty, and then the vision of the club’s management. I also cannot forget the support and advice of my father and the encouragement of my family and brothers, who always reinforced my self-confidence. All of these factors gave me the important motivation to achieve my goals.”
Fingerprint system
When asked about the most surprising things he encountered after officially joining the first team, Hazem said: “Honestly, I was surprised by the players’ fingerprint “attendance” system in the morning and evening trainings, and I felt like a government employee. But I quickly adapted to it and embraced the idea because I know very well that Al-Ain is “different”, and the regulations it sets can only be found in the best clubs in the world.”
Nutrition and professionalism
In response to a question about how he benefited from his university studies in nutrition as a professional player in the club, Hazem said: “Actually, the club applies true professionalism, as I mentioned earlier. There are top-level specialists in the medical clinic, nutrition, and physical fitness, in addition to regular check-ups. As for the nutrition specialist, they are in constant communication with the players, and everyone follows a specific diet plan. This has added a lot to me personally, as I am a nutrition student studying this specialization at the university and practically implementing it with a specialized doctor.”
National team call-up
Regarding the moment of his call-up to the national team, Hazem said: “Honestly, it was an exceptional moment in my life, although I have experienced it many times through the youth stages. But the feeling of being called up to the first national team is different. I received a phone call to witness the surprise in the first team’s lineup, and it was indeed a pleasant surprise for me. My experience with the national team has definitely provided me with significant gains.”
Comprehensive coach
In response to a question about the Dutch coach Alfred Schreuder’s approach to the players, Hazem said: “In my opinion, the Dutch coach Alfred Schreuder is a comprehensive coach who cares about the smallest details of each player and is keen on analysis the performance of his players to correct errors and improve their performancein the required manner. He also analyzes the opponent’s performance in a distinctive way that enables us to deal with each match with a high tactical thought. In addition, he is close to all the team’s players.“
A Strange Feeling
Regarding his feelings when being excluded from the team’s match lineup, Hazem said: “I won’t keep it a secret that I would not be happy when being excluded from the lineup. On the contrary, as a professional football player, I always try to look at the positive side. I am motivated to double my efforts in the coming week to regain my place on the lineup. I believe the coach’s statement is logical when he emphasized that it’s the players who list their names on the team’s lineup, not the coach.”
Key Challenges
Regarding the main challenges he faces as a professional player in Al Ain, Hazem said: “The truth is that the internal camp system, morning and evening training sessions, pose the biggest challenge for me as a university student, particularly that the first team has Asian commitments, traveling, international matches, and national team gatherings. I hope to keep the necessary balance between football professionalism and university studies.”
Valuable Trust
Hazem added: “I would like to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to the Al Ain club’s management for the great trust they showed by granting me my first professional contract in my football journey. I promise to double my efforts to meet their high expectations and prove myself worthy of the trust they have placed in me.”
Greetings to the Al Ain Fans
Hazem concluded his words by saying: “As players, we love the fans, and we consider them the most important factor in the team’s victories and achievements throughout history. Our conversations in the dressing room are mainly around how to satisfy and delight them. We ask Allah,Almighty, to grant us success in fulfilling their aspirations, both locally and continentally.”
Biography
Hazem Abbas is considered an ideal model of a talented and professional football player who managed to balance his life by pursuing his university education in nutrition while being a professional football player. He began his journey in the football world at the age of seven when he joined the football school in December 2011. He progressed through the youth stages and at the age of 18, he signed his first professional contract. He was among the talents chosen by Dutch coach Alfred Schreuder to join the first team’s training camp in Spain in 2023.
Personal Information
Name: Hazem Mohamed Abbas
Date of Birth: 18/3/2005
University: Al Ain University
Major: Nutrition
Position: Midfielder
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 79 kg
