Northern Emirates Teams Fired Up for duFC Knock Out Phase

• Top performing teams from UAE Streets and Schools Cups secure their spots in knock out phases

Sharjah, UAE - 31 January 2016 - du Football Champions, the home of the UAE Schools and Streets Cups and the official youth football championship of the Nation, saw top teams leaping to the knock out phases in the Northern Emirates leg of the initiative yesterday.

Dreaming big about the prospects of a professional football career, the youth from Northern Emirates pull out all the stops this week in their final effort to land a spot in next week’s knock out phases.

Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Commercial Officer du said, “Unleashing the potential of youth in the nation is our main objective behind the du Football Champions platform launch. Sports are a powerful tool and outlet through which we can nurture a positive spirit and attitude especially among youth, our main target group for duFC.”

Main Sponsor Chevrolet’ Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Chevrolet, GM Middle East, Abdallah Madhoun commented on the last week of group stages in Northern Emirates, “This platform with the UAE Schools and Streets Cups enables us to extend our reach to all youth footballers across the UAE providing them with a once in a lifetime opportunity to reach out and fulfill their football dreams.  We look forward to the results as we edge closer to the national-level finals in Dubai.”

Highlights

Teams going forward in the Schools Cup boys U16 group include Al Maarifa School, Al Ahliya Private School, Al Zuhour Private School and Salman Farsi School all of whom also move forward in the boys U14 category.  Other teams going forward in the boys U14 category include St.Mary’s School Fujairah and Gems Millenium School who earned their spots in next week’s knock outs.  The girls demonstrated incredible performances that sees teams  from Our Own English High School, Sharjah and Sama American Private School  going forward.   And in the Streets Cup teams moving forward include Aldaid, Team Ahmed, FC Gemz and Shawi amongst others all of whom proved that technical skill combined with team work makes for a winning formula.

Coach Ayman Fahmi from Al Maarifa School applauded his team saying, “These young boys have dedicated themselves to the game and have been practicing hard for weeks.  I am very proud of them and we look forward to the knock outs.”

Speaking after his match, young Omar El Ahmadieh from team Shawi said, “We came together as a united team today and it made a huge difference.  We felt invincible when we played together and the results were fantastic.”

Players to Watch
Combining football finesse and flare to his every move Ayman Al Yemeni was this week’s stand out player who led his team to victory.  Other promising players this week included goalie Osama Molhem, mid fielders Nassim Hessas , defenders Saadi Hazbar and strikers Jaafar Abdel Fattah.

“It has been a great 3 weeks of football for teams from Northern Emirates.  The players have impressed us with their fast paced dribbling, accurate passes and ability to hit the back of the net.  The level here has been very high and will make for a great semi-final and final week in Dubai,” said Michel Salgado, Championship Director.

Hussein Murad, CEO of Inspiratus, the organizers of duFC said, “It was a fantastic day of matches with both UAE Schools & Streets Cups teams giving it their all.  What will happen in the coming weeks and who will earn the top spots at this stage, could be anyone’s guess.”

The du Football Champions will see teams from the Northern Emirates region battling it out at the much anticipated knock out phase at Al Hamriya Football Club next week.

The du Football Champions is a yearly initiative that aims to achieve the pursuit of excellence and progress for youth and the discovery of new talent, who will form a important part of the next generation of professional footballers playing for UAE national teams.