Al Sarkal hails Khalifa's support

Abu Dhabi: Yousuf Al Sarkal, chairman of the UAE FA Transitional Committee, has hailed the continuous support of the leadership of the UAE to youth and sport and the rewards they provide to all sporting stars who win for the country.

"Only a few weeks ago we met to attend the honouring of the men and women who achieved victories for the UAE by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and today we meet again to attend the honouring of our leader to the Olympic football team for winning promotion to the finals of the London Olympic Games this summer," Al Sarkal said.

"I do hope this generous honouring will be a motivation for the players to do their very best in the Games and also encourage the other teams to excel in all fields of competition."

The UAE have been drawn against hosts Great Britain, plus Senegal and Uruguay in London.

Centre of attention

Al Sarkal said: "All groups are difficult, but it is better to play with the hosts because all the attention of the media and the fans will be on this group, which will surely encourage our players to do their best and show their true worth in order to attract the attention of foreign clubs — in particular as all European clubs will have scouts in these events with players under 23.

"I am sure that our players will do their best as they have always been winners in all continental and international levels and they have a winning mentality which will help them in the Olympic Games."