His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said during an important speech in the «Emirates Ball Retreat»: “The application of professionalism is a challenge that lies with everyone.” He thanked Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, President of the Emirates Football Association, His Highness also sent several important messages to sports bodies and institutions in the country, the media and the masses.
His Highness said: “The UAE is looking forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Emirates Football Association next year, which calls for the importance of joining efforts and intensifying them in order to raise the level of Emirati football so that it becomes a role model for the regional and international levels, and through my experience in the presidency of the Football Association Football Emirates football has gone through many challenges, but with the solidarity of clubs, officials and players, support for all, and close follow-up by the leadership, Emirates Ball was able to achieve a qualitative shift at all levels .. But we are looking forward to more success during the coming years, and I am confident that my colleague Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi and his team are able to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of Emirati football.
His Highness added: “I would like to emphasize that the UAE national team is an important symbol for this country. We, all of us as fans, sports clubs and media institutions, must stand with the team and provide the necessary and deserving support to the Football Association. The development of this sporting experience, and I would like to emphasize the importance of continuous communication and consultation permanently between sports institutions in the country such as (the Olympic Committee, the General Authority for Sports, councils, federations and clubs), and everyone should work together, and come together for a better football future. ”
His Highness stated that “everyone wishes the members of the Emirates Football Association to take care to qualify Emirati cadres of young men and women, players, administrators, referees, coaches and technicians, to lead the future of football in the country. National cadres are expensive and important and they will advance the ball, but this does not mean and does not prevent interaction with foreign professionals. Those who are keen to pass on their experiences to their counterparts in the Emirates, during the period of their stay and professionalism, they are dear and honored guests ».
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized that the Emirati media should play the important pivotal role in conveying the true image of what is happening in the scenes of Emirati football without courtesy to anyone, without defamation and without abuse, we all look forward to the UAE media being a supportive partner for Emirati football in various Times and events.
He said: «When we sought, as a football federation, during my honorary term in his presidency, to push for the implementation of the decision to return foreign players to the UAE league, the aim was to benefit from the experiences of these players to raise the level of Emirati players through friction with them, and thus raise the level of the UAE league to be (a better league) at the Gulf level and the level Asian, puts us on a wider path to competition. ”
He explained that «the Emirati clubs succeeded in attracting international names, which left a footprint in the Emirati league over the years, and also gave the Emirati League an opportunity for many distinguished foreign players to start their professional march towards the finest and most important international leagues, and the Emirati player, clubs and the Football Association still have to make more efforts And double that to apply professionalism and exchange experiences with international clubs and leagues, which is a challenge that lies with everyone without exception. ”
His Highness added: “On the diplomatic level, the team of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and state missions abroad provide all forms of support to the Football Association and sports councils and clubs during their foreign participation. I invite here clubs and the Football Association to submit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation a set of proposals and recommendations that would It reinforces the concept of sports diplomacy so that we can work to develop these ideas to reflect the orientations and aspirations of clubs and players and the values of the UAE community, and I would like to emphasize the importance of sport in general and football in particular at all local, regional and international levels and its role in bringing people together and introducing the country externally and promoting it And for its culture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation places all its capabilities inside and outside the country at the service of the UAE's children and sports.
For his part, Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, President of the Football Association, thanked His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for his inspirational speech that embodies the continuous support for the leadership of the UAE and its constant encouragement to the sports community, and to provide all the necessary means and ingredients to advance the Emirates ball and enhance its position The state is on the map of the sports world, and he said: “His Highness’s words inspire us to continue working hard during the coming period, in cooperation with everyone to achieve the aspirations of the people of the Emirates, paint our achievements, and give joy to the hearts of all Emiratis.”
Rashid bin Humaid:
"Abdullah bin Zayed's speech embodies the support of rational leadership in state sport."
The media should play its role in reporting the truth about what is happening in the scenes of Emirati football, without courtesy to anyone, and without defamation or abuse.