ABU DHABI // Ahead of Thursday's football match at Zayed Sports City between the Manchester City, owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, and the UAE national team, the capital and the city of Manchester will further cement their relationship. Civic dignitaries, business chiefs and education leaders from the city in the north-west of England will meet their counterparts in the emirate to strengthen ties in the sporting, cultural, aviation and academic sectors.
A delegation representing the private sector, Manchester City Council, the University of Manchester, Manchester Airport and Manchester International Festival organisers arrived yesterday for a four-day visit to Abu Dhabi. Sir Richard Leese, leader of the city council, said: "It gives us the chance to cement our partnership and look at how we can help each other in our aims to continue to build both a world-class club and a world-class city."
The British Embassy hosts a reception for delegates today with representatives from Manchester City. Tomorrow, a reception will be held for members of both cities' business communities. @Email:mchung@thenational.ae
