Sports stadiums are regularly referred to as fields of dreams. And with the UAE having been awarded the rights to host football’s 2019 Asian Cup, there are now four years remaining for our players to melt together and form a cohesive team — one that will be a source of pride for all here.
Yes, there are challenges. But the UAE Football Association is laying the groundwork as the 2019 event draws nearer. Mahdi Ali, the national coach, has had his contract extended until the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia. That is a good step in building for the future.
But Ali has made a pertinent point — and it is one that every professional player here in the UAE should take note of. Ali wants UAE players to reach for greatness by heading overseas, setting their sights on playing with top clubs in top European leagues. It is a tall order, but there are players here who opt for a game with easy rewards. In Europe, the professional challenges and demands are higher. Our footballing stars should indeed strive to reach higher.
