Sultan Rashid stated, “We are committed to the highest ‘international’ standards in the tournament organization to achieve the highest success indicators
Hazza bin Zayed U17 International Football Tournament 2017 Organizing Committee convened a press conference on the day before yesterday at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium’s Board Chairman Hall. It was attended by Sultan Rashid, Board Member at Al Ain Football Company and head of the Tournament Organizing Committee, Abdullah Ali, Al Ain FC Academy Administrative Supervisor and Tournament Director, Ali Khamis, Football Academy Technical Director and head of the Tournament Technical Committee, as well as the heads of the Tournament Committees and a group of media men.
At such press conference, Tournament schedule was disclosed, according to which the six competing teams were divided into two groups; the first one includes Al Ain FC Club, Valencia Spanish Club and Partizan Serbian Club; and the second one include Zamalek Egyptian Club, Wydad Athletic Moroccan Club and Athletic Bilbao Spanish Club. It was decided that the Tournament is to be held according to the one-round league system within the group stage. The champion of each group is to be directly qualified to play the final match. Tahnoun bin Mohammed Stadium in Qattara will host all of the group stage matches.
It was also established that the Tournament is to be launched on 9th April with two matches, where Al Ain U17 team will meet its Serbian counterpart, Partizan Club, and Zamalek of Egypt will confront Wydad Athletic Moroccan Club. On 10th April, Valencia Spanish Club will play against Partizan Serbian Club at the first confrontation, while Wydad Athletic Moroccan Club will meet Athletic Bilbao Spanish Club. On 12th April, the group stage will be concluded with two matches, the first one between Al Ain FC Club and Valencia Spanish Club and the second match between Zamalek Egyptian Club and Athletic Bilbao Spanish Club. The final match is to be played on 14th April at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
The Best Tournaments
Sultan Rashid has inaugurated the press conference with a welcome speech, through which he conveyed the greetings of Al Ain Football Company Board Members, headed by His Excellence Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajri. He also praised the media role in covering the sports events at our dearest country.
Sultan Rashid has confirmed that all preparations for Hazza bin Zayed U17 International Football Tournament 2017 were completed. He clarified, “such Tournament has a precious, dear name that is linked to football keeping pace with developments and led football to achieve the highest success indicators. It is the name of His Excellence Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, First Deputy Chairman of Al Ain Club, First Deputy Chairman of the Honorary Council and Al Ain Sports & Cultural Club Board Chairman. We aim, at the current version, to proceed in accordance with the strategic plans upon which one of the best ‘international’ U17 football tournaments, which has gained it a good reputation and wide standing among the biggest European club academies.
A Book of 100 Pages
Sultan Rashid stated, “We highly appreciate the keenness of the Tournament ‘strategic partner’ – Abu Dhabi Sports Council, headed by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan – to support and sponsor all of the sports events at our dearest capital Abu Dhabi. We are also glad to express our deep appreciation of the Tournament sponsors and the ‘International Tournament’ main success partners, whose number reached 20 governmental and private institutions”.
He added, “The Organizing Committee has decided to publish a book for Hazza bin Zayed International Football Tournament composed of 100 pages in both Arabic and English. It contains all of the necessary information on the teams competing for the ninth version and accurate details on the Tournament history, starting from the first version, which was launched in 2008, to the last version. It also provides information on the most important landmarks of Al Ain”.
The ‘International Tournament’ on Abu Dhabi Sports Channels
The head of the Tournament Organizing Committee has praised the media important role and great partnership for the success of the most prominent sports events. He has also praised all of the national sports channels, confirming that Abu Dhabi Sports Channels has obtained the rights to broadcast all of Hazza bin Zayed U17 International Football Tournament 2017 matches on its open channels to continue its excellent coverage of the ‘international’ Tournament from its beginning to the current version.
Prizes for Fans
Rashid has expressed his sincere wishes for the teams competing in Hazza bin Zayed U17 International Football Tournament 2017 to achieve the intended benefits. He confirmed that there are events accompanying the Tournament, including draw on prizes for the fans, cultural, heritage and tourism programs, workshops nd humanitarian initiatives that coincide with the Year of Giving. We hope that the fans would enjoy the Tournament matches and programs.
When asked about the reason for Al Ain Academy teams non-participation in the ‘international’ Tournament, he answered, “I agree with you on the importance of age group teams participation in the ‘international’ Tournament against age group teams of the biggest European clubs. At summer, Al Ain FC Club works on participating in the ‘international’ tournaments and friendly matches during the abroad summer camps, especially in Europe. We have clear strategic plan for the development of the Football Academy players in the near future in consistent with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, founder of the success strategy, close follow up by His Excellence Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajri and the support provided by Abu Dhabi Sports Council for the capital clubs”.
With regard to the Tournament short period – from 9th to 14th April – he said, “no doubt that the Tournament period is set by the Football Federation as there are various tournaments in other aspects for different age groups and due to the availability of referees for all of its matches. As you know, tournaments are currently in the elite stage to identify the champions of each single competition. I think that this period is the most appropriate one for Tournament organization, especially that the past stage has been linked to school exams”.
