DUBAI // More than 125 teams of girls and boys from 55 private and public schools in Dubai will compete in a six-week-long tournament at Dubai Sports City Football Academy.
The winners of the Dubai Schools Football Cup will be given an all-expenses paid trip to the UK to watch a Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford.
They will also take part in a full-day football training clinic to be conducted by Manchester United coaches.
The second edition of the competition has been expanded to include more entry categories and a larger tournament for girls.
Two thousand players aged between 10 and 17, from schools and nationalities across Dubai will participate.
The tournament is divided into four categories: Boys U12, U14, U16 and Girls U17. Matches will be played on seven Fifa-approved pitches at Dubai Sports City.
The tournament is expected to attract more than 35,000 spectators.
Defending champions Lycee Francais George Pompidou in Boys U15, Dubai National School Al Barsha in Boys U14 and St Mary’s Catholic School in the two girls’ categories were among the first schools that signed up for this year’s tournament.
Former Real Madrid football star and director of Dubai Schools Football Cup Michel Salgado said: “I am delighted to be here for the kick off of the second edition of the Dubai Schools Football Cup. We witnessed such a great passion for football among the youth of Dubai last year and I am certain that more talent will emerge as the tournament progresses this year..”
He said that the Dubai Schools Football Cup hoped to pave the way for youth to cultivate their sporting talents and aptitudes, while fostering and building a healthier lifestyle at a critical stage in their lives. It is a unique opportunity for students from national and international schools to engage and share experiences, he said.
The tournament hopes to open new opportunities for students to experience football on a level where they practise leadership, commitment, fair play and teamwork.
“DSFC is a celebration of Dubai’s youth, their aspirations. Nurturing in them values that are key to their development, leadership qualities, namely focus, humility, collaboration and adaptability,” said Hussein Murad, chief executive of Inspiratus, the company that manages the teams.
Announcing the tournament, Ali Omar, director of the sports development department at Dubai Sports Council, said: “Based on the success of the first edition of the Dubai Schools Football Cup, the event has now become the emirate’s official schools football tournament.
“The future of youth football in the emirate is promising as we continue to witness growing participation from boys and girls. We are delighted to bring an expanded second edition and we look forward to welcoming the Dubai community at this important event for youth sports.”
The tournament kicks off on Saturday and is supported by Dubai Education Zone and the Knowledge and Human Development authority, along with main sponsor Chevrolet. The finals will be held on March 7.
tzriqat@thenational.ae