The Organizing Committee Spreads Joy at Al Ain Palace Museum.. Heritage and Cultural Celebrations in Honor of delegations participating in HBZ U-16 Tournament
The ceremony of the Organizing Committee of Hazza Bin Zayed U16 International Football Tournament 2018 was held in an exceptional atmosphere which features the heritage, originality and history of our beloved country at Al Ain Palace Museum. The ceremony was held to honor all participating delegations and sponsors of the tournament.
The ceremony was attended by H.E. Humaid Al Mazrouei, Vice Chairman of Al Ain Club Football Company, who exchanged shields with the heads of participating delegations, sliced the tournament special cake and took a group photo with all heads of delegations. The ceremony was also attended by Captain Sultan Rashid, Board Member of Al Ain Football Club, Sports Director and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Abdullah Ali, the Administrative Supervisor of the Football Academy, Captain Khamis Ali, Technical Manager of Al Ain Football Academy, heads of delegations, the organizing committees of the tournament and a number of media figures.
The attending audience interacted with the various and distinctive events of the ceremony which included a tour in Al Ain Palace Museum and the musical show presented by Ali bin Nu’man War Band. All the players of the Spain’s Real Betis, UK’s Everton. Slovak’s Žilina and Argentine’s Deportivo Atalaya participated in the band’s dances and Al Ain players were keen to coach the foreign players how to dance the war and folk dances in a stunning scene.
The ceremony schedule included also presenting a video of snapshots captured by the camera of the Media Committee which recorded some of the most remarkable memories telling the story of one of the most successful international junior football tournaments in its 10th edition. The video displayed the events of the tournament since the kickoff of preparations through the training and arrival of teams at the airport and then the goals scored until the semi-finals. Each team interacted with their scored goals and their respective coaches’ messages addressed to them. The teams’ players were so enthusiastic and applauded wholeheartedly with their team’s shots displayed on the screen.
Martin Waldern, Head of the Everton FC delegation, said: “The respectable reputation associated with the Hazza Bin Zayed U-16 Football Tournament has motivated us to participate in the current edition. Undoubtedly, as we have experienced the tournament atmosphere, we have become more motivated to be part of the coming edition because the gains are not only limited to sports but exceeded that to include cultural and touristic events.”
Jose Sierra, Head of the Real Betis FC delegation, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Al Ain Club for hosting one of the most successful junior football tournaments. He stated: “This tournament is one of the most famous competitions in Spain at the European level because every year the tournament hosts one of the first division teams. Various junior football teams follow the news of this tournament and we are very happy to be part of it. We hope to be present in all the upcoming tournaments.”
Head of Argentina’s Deportivo Atalaya delegation, Voglia Pedro, said that the ceremony was an extraordinary surprise. “It is not a secret to tell you that we were impressed by the organization of this international tournament,” said he. He went on to say: “The Organizing Committee was keen to adopt the best and highest standards in organizing this stunning international tournament, and this made us feels that we are competing in an official championship. I think words of thanks alone is not enough for Al Ain Club for everything they offered to the delegations participating in this tournament.”
“We enjoyed an extraordinary atmosphere from the moment we arrived in UAE until the final match,” said Peter Bikara, Head of Slovak’s Žilina Team. He added: “All the players of the team have nothing to talk about but to participate in this wonderful tournament and the accompanying events. I would like to thank Al Ain Club on behalf of the team for the genius idea of the tournamnet and its wonderful goals.”
In his turn, Captain Sultan Rashid, Board Member of Al Ain Football Club, Sports Director and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, expressed his deep thanks and appreciation to all delegations, government entities and sponsors stressing that they are the success partners in each version of this international tournament. He stated: “I would like mainly to thank the Abu Dhabi Sports Council our “Strategic Partner”, along with the Hili Raihana Rotana Hotel, Swiss chocolate “Laderach” of Mohammed Rasoul Khlori & Sons Group, Nirvana Travel & Tourism, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company SEHA, UAE University, Lausanne & Cavallo Group, Brunei Airlines, Al Ain Pharmacy, History Restaurant, Bawadi Mall, Al Foa’a Mall, Barari Outlet Mall, Hili Mall, AL Ain Municipality, Al Ain Farms for Livestock Production, Al Foa’a Dates, Grand Hafeet Washing Station, Sweets Palace and Golden Sheep Restaurant and Grills.”
