The DuFC Elite Team are undergoing training sessions in Spain ahead of four matches against La Liga opposition. Photos courtesy Du
The DuFC Elite Team are undergoing training sessions in Spain ahead of four matches against La Liga opposition. Photos courtesy Du

Striving to secure pro futures, DuFC Elite Team arrive in Spain to take on La Liga clubs



The Du Football Champions (DuFC) Elite Team have arrived in Spain as some of the most talented young footballers in the UAE prepare to test their skills against La Liga opposition.

A squad of 32 players, comprising DuFC top talents and winners from the UAE Schools Cup boys U16 and UAE Street, will take on four professional Spanish youth clubs and undergo intensive La Liga level training, provided by professional Spanish coaches.

To prepare for their time in Spain, the players endured a month-long training session in May with La Liga coaches as well as top fitness trainers to get them into peak physical shape.

“The Du Football Champions platform in partnership with La Liga was created to enable the UAE’s finest young footballers the opportunity to be discovered and to pursue their dreams through commitment and hard work,” Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Commercial Officer at Du, said.

“We congratulate the Elite Team who has made it to Spain and look forward to their progress in the coming weeks.”

The squad, which is made up of players from 16 countries including UAE, France, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon, will be aiming to impress in the hopes of securing professional contracts with a Spanish club.

The first match is scheduled for July 22 against Sevilla, followed by games against Granada, Cordoba, and a grand finale against Malaga, the top youth team in Spain, on July 30.

“Over the past few weeks and months, these young players have worked very hard in preparation for what could be a truly life-changing experience,” Hussein Murad, CEO, Inspiratus, the organisers of DuFC, said.

“We will be closely following their journey over the next 3 weeks and I am confident that the Elite Team will perform well during the matches against top youth clubs from La Liga.”

The Du Football Champions (DuFC) Elite Team began in October with the DuFC UAE Streets and Schools Cup. Six months and 1,215 games later, 70 boys were selected to attend an intensive two day DuFC Clinic with four La Liga coaches flown in from Spain to work with the group and identify those with high potential.

The group was whittled down to 20, then added to with the DuFC winning teams. This squad then attended the month long training camp in May ahead of their tour of Spain.

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More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
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Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

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Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
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2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

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3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

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Publisher:  Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5

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1. Fasting

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4. Shahada

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