Athletes considered that opening the door to the professionalism of the UAE players abroad would be "the best solution to restore the Emirati football's luster", after the significant decline in the results of clubs and teams in the recent period, noting that the step, despite its difficulty, is achievable, citing what happened With seven Saudi players when they got professional two years ago in the Spanish League.
They also appreciated in an interview with «Emirates Today», the step taken by the Sharjah Sports Council, in coordination with the Sharjah Clubs and the Kalba Union, with the professionalism of the players Maid Mohsen Musabeh and Ahmed Al-Naqbi in Leganes Spain.
They said that despite the lapse of nearly 11 years since the launch of the Arab Gulf League, the technical level of the game did not develop much, and they considered that such a step in the event that it was adopted from large and official bodies, such as the Football Association and sports councils and the General Authority for Sport, that would develop from The level of Emirati players, along with clubs and teams, is saying that this should be seen as a "national sports project".
In the previous periods, Emirates Ball witnessed limited professional attempts by some players in foreign patrols, the last of which was the professionalism of Al-Jazira player Omar Abdel-Rahman in the Saudi Al Hilal, and before him Al-Wahda player Hamdan Kamali in the French Olympique Lyon.
The former Olympic team coach, Ali Ibrahim, said, "This matter, if it occurs, will benefit the player, his club and the teams, and it is not only the responsibility of the Football Association, but also the desire of the player and his club, as well as the existence of real opportunities abroad."
He continued: «Professionalism of players abroad is not easy, especially since most of our players are currently 100% unprofessional, some of them work in jobs other than football, and the matter requires full coordination between the various systems.
For his part, the former assistant secretary in the Football Federation, Imran Abdullah, stressed the importance of signing an agreement in this regard with unions and clubs in Europe and elsewhere, allowing players to external professionalism to develop their technical level and get used to a professional life in every detail. He said: "Professionalism will give them more experience and experience in football, and it will have a good impact on the entire football system we have."
For his part, Hassan Talib, a former board member of the Al Wasl Club, called for supporting this initiative, and allowing the first team players to be professional in foreign patrols, because of its great benefits for everyone.
He added, "Despite the long years since the introduction of professionalism, the Emirates ball has not developed technically, and the results of the teams are not at the level of ambition." He explained, "Although the clubs are thinking about their interest, it is time for everyone to put the interest of Emirates football at the forefront, especially since there are a number of players in the league that can professionalize in foreign leagues."
He continued: «As long as there is an opportunity for professionalism for some players, why not take advantage of these opportunities ?!».
Al-Falahi: We suffer because of the lack of proper planning
The former candidate for the position of Vice President of the Football Association, Sultan Al-Falahi, said, "Attention to the proper establishment of players, through academies and football schools, will guarantee the development of the Emirates ball for the better."
He continued: «We suffer because of the lack of proper planning, we do not care about the emerging sector, and we do not provide the necessary funds to support it. On the professionalism of the players abroad, he said: “It is difficult to convince a player who gets one million and 200 thousand dirhams a month to give up this in exchange for professionalism in a foreign league for a salary that may range between 150 and 200 thousand dollars annually.”
Extremely limited experiences of Emirates players' professionalism in foreign patrols, limited to Amuri with Saudi Al Hilal, and Hamdan Al Kamali with French Lyon.
Athletes consider that the coordination between the Football Association and sports councils and the "Authority" and clubs, would make the idea a success.