Issuing Medical Kits for Team Players Before Kicking Off Training Programs.. The “Boss” of Exceptional Initiatives Adopts Global Best Practices in Preventive Measures

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Purple Sterilization Gate Stimulates “Ainawi” to Pass Through at Ease

The Medical Committee Raises the Level of Standing Readiness Before Starting Training Sessions

Dr. Talal Al Khazraji: True Heroism is Realized Through Being Responsible

We Are Determined to Start and End the Season by “Zero” Covid-19 Cases

A Two-Weekly Corona Screening Test Will Be Conducted for All Players and Team Members

Paul Joy: Entry to Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium is Restricted to Players and Employees Only

Community Protection Requires Everyone to Adhere to Hygienic Practices and Precautionary Measures

Al Ain Football Club Company has adopted significant precautionary measures per the health protocols issued by the competent authorities. They are implemented before resuming the sports activities by the Club, which started as of 5th July 2020. The first phase began with conducting comprehensive medical checkups for the players of the first and reserved teams and then conducting COVID-19 screening tests by all the team’s players, coaching teams, and administrative staff. This test is scheduled to be done twice a week as of Wednesday 15th July 2020 when the team players kick off their training sessions.

During the past period, the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium witnessed dynamic and relentless efforts exerted by the team management in coordination with the departments in charge to implement all the pre-season -arrangements. The arrangements include installing the Ainawi sterilization gate, motivating all the team members to pass through it. The administrative staff of the first football team issued the players the “I am Ainawi” medical kits that include sterilization materials, face masks, and medical gloves.

As for the entry procedures of Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium, they witnessed several new arrangements. They include assigning the main stadium gate for the entry of players instead of the players’ private entrance that leads to the changing room directly. The main gate is equipped with thermal cameras attached to digital devices to check the temperatures. Additionally, specific rooms are assigned for isolation next to the main entrance equipped with all health requirements to isolate any person suffering from a rise in body temperature.

The Club management has put in place all the precautions measures consistent with the health protocol under the direct supervision of the Al Ain Club Medical Committee. This includes installing digital screens in all areas of the football fields, dressing rooms, medical clinics, gymnasium, offices of the coaching teams and administrative staffs, main halls and corridors, and other strategic locations in Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium to display COVID-19 precaution measures. Also, signboards were placed alongside the screens, and small booklets on COVID-19 educational instructions were distributed to everyone. Mobile plastic signboards showing health instructions also were put in and out of the stadium.

The Medical Committee of Al Ain Football Club Company has recently held several meetings with all competent parties in the Club, coaching teams, and administrative staffs tasked to implement the precautionary measures to ensure their commitment to preventive processes. They also tackled every single detail of the health and safety of plans. It was decided to organize awareness workshops regularly for all Al Ain Club football teams.

Dr. Talal Al Khazraji, Chairman of the Medical Committee of Al Ain Club, confirmed that all the precautionary measures are fully put in place.

He stated: “Our goal is crystal-clear, and we look forward to achieving zero coronavirus cases by the end of the current season. This would be implemented not only at the level of Al Ain Club, but this includes all clubs participating in AGL.”

He added: “Such a result could be achieved through working together in the spirit of one team in compliance with the guidance of our wise leadership and the generous support and the appropriate attention that the UAE Sheiks have always been showing to the UAE citizens and residents. Not to forget also the medical protocol approved by the UAE Football Association and the UAE Pro League, as well as the efforts exerted by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.”

Dr. Talal Al Khazraji put an accent on the fact that the most critical challenge facing everyone is to adhere to the preventive measures and be held liable to stay safe.

Responding to a question on the precautionary procedures adopted by Al Ain Club, he said: “Definitely, there are medical, and other procedures related to the administrative and technical aspects are put in place. Therefore, we held several important meetings with the coaches and administrative staff to tackle all relevant medical issues. We started by conducting several medical tests on the performance of the body functions and immunity and comprehensive medical examinations for all the Club members. This is done to enhance the rate of preventive measures, especially for those who suffer from chronic diseases and heart or lung problems. We have already provided all the required requirements per the approved medical protocols before kicking off the training sessions.”

“After suspending the sports activities for nearly four months, it is normal once resuming the training sessions that players may suffer from high temperature and muscle pain, as well as cough and cold, which are similar to the symptoms of “Covid 19”. So, it was decided to conduct COVID-19 screening tests twice a week. We would have new and modern examination devices, and we seek to that to get the required approvals from the competent authorities to have faster results,” Dr. Al Khazraji said.

Dr. Al Khazraji also pointed out that based on the directives of the Al Ain Football Club board of directors, the Medical Committee is about to publish a special awareness booklet for all members of the Club. “The main goal is to promote a healthy environment and enhance the immunity of the employees and members by following a proper diet and their commitment to take proper breaks promptly. The booklet includes preventive measures in both Arabic and English languages.”

Mr. Paul Joy, Communication Officer, stressed that the precautionary measures implemented in the training fields of the football team are limited only to the players, administrative, coaching, and medical staff.

He also stated: “Al Ain Club has adopted the international best practices in preventive measures adopted by all football clubs in line with the protocol of the UAE Football Association and FIFA. Accordingly, there will be no use of the players’ changing rooms, and each player will attend training sessions bringing all the stuff that he uses before, during, and after the training session. All players should leave the field directly to their homes without taking a shower.”

Mr. Paul also commented that the Medical Committee of Al Ain Football Club is committed to conducting periodic medical checkups twice a week to ensure the safety of all players and employees. “Additionally, all players and employees should pass through the sterilization gate before crossing into the main entrance, which is equipped with thermal cameras. We are also conducting comprehensive sterilization processes for all facilities and equipment used before and after training sessions, such as balls, cones and all training tools and equipment”

“All staff will be subject to an ongoing follow-up concerning their health status as of passing through the sterilization gate to the main gate, which is provided with thermal monitoring cameras attached to digital devices to monitor their temperatures before and by the end of the training sessions.”

Mr. Paul concluded his statement by saying: “We are well aware of the responsibility we all shoulder with sights set to protect the society. This dictates that everyone should adhere to the Preventive Guidelines Booklet and sound health practices.”