ABU DHABI // While the new Pro League of 12 Emirati clubs has become an instant hit on the administrative front, it has not made much of an impression on football supporters in the country, particularly the expatriate audience who have tended to ignore the matches being played on their doorsteps. Romy Gai, the chief executive of the UAE Football League, admits to being concerned by poor attendances during the first month of competition but insists he is not unduly worried at this stage.
He feels that the expatriate community can be courted in the coming months which will be better suited for watching football and urges them to get behind their local teams. "We appreciate that we have to send out a message that we have a worthwhile product here, one that deserves more support than it is getting at present," said Gai. "But it is not something we are too worried about just yet. We launched during Ramadan and that clearly had an adverse effect on attendances. Also the weather at the start of the season what not as favourable as it is now.
"We are due to mount a promotional campaign aimed at increasing crowds at the 12 grounds. We will be making strong appeals to fans, especially the expatriates. We just hope they respond enthusiastically to those appeals." wjohnson@thenational.ae
