Ali revels in good Kompany
Emirati youngster has the time of his life after becoming the mascot for Manchester City
Dubai: It's a trip eight-year-old Ali Waleed Al Saeedi is unlikely to forget in a hurry. Having won an Etihad Airways-Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority-backed competition to act as mascot for Manchester City Football Club's titanic derby day triumph over cross-city rivals, Manchester United, the Emirati youngster said his skin is still tingling from the emotions of Monday night's epic clash at the Etihad Stadium.
"It was such an exciting day," said Ali, who returned to Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night after the dream two-night trip to Manchester. "I met all of my Manchester City heroes, even Sergio Aguero. Now City is top of the league again - it is just what I wished for," he said.
Ali's derby mascot duties saw him handed an official Manchester City replica kit and signed merchandise, taken on a pre-match tour of Etihad Stadium, spend time with City's mascots, Moonchester and Moonbeam, and then walk out on to the pitch alongside City captain, Vincent Kompany, just before kick-off. "Ali is really thankful. We both are," said his father, Waleed. "It has been a truly special derby for us. It's given us memories we will treasure forever."
With Kompany's thumping header in first half stoppage time sending most of the 47,200 capacity crowd into delirium, life-long City fan and season-ticket holder, Rob Dolson, had a second reason to celebrate when a special seat draw awarded him a luxury trip of a life-time to November's Formula 1™ Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
"I couldn't believe it when I won - it rounded off an unbelievable few minutes after Vinny's goal. I've never been to Abu Dhabi before and I can't wait to visit. The Grand Prix looks spectacular and the music concerts are supposed to be world-class," said Rob, a motorsport fan from Chorlton, Manchester.
City's resurgence dominated fans' talk in Abu Dhabi's traditional, tent-shaped destination promotion in City Square. Themed around the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the activation welcomed swathes of pre-match crowds.
With displays of traditional culture - including a calligrapher, henna artist and extremely popular falconer - enticing pre-match crowds and generating local and international press attention, 1,500 visitors collected dynamic destination collateral and promotional brochures detailing exclusive package information on tailored trips to November's Grand Prix.
