Clubs make steady progress

Dubai: The Technical Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has delivered its verdict on the progress made by football in the UAE after it turned professional three seasons ago. Since the 2008-09 season, football in the UAE has come a long way indeed.

From Diego Maradona to David Trezequet and Asamoah Gyan, this year's league has its fair share of appeal. One of the world's best players of all time is coaching Dubai side Al Wasl and former French star Trezequet has chosen Bani Yas while Gyan has opted for the former Asian champions Al Ain.

There are others, probably not boasting CVs like these stars, but who have been successful in raising the profile of the competition like Luis Jimenez, Jaja, Grafite (both Al Ahli); and Lucas O'Neill (Al Jazira).

Per se, a majority of the expatriate population living in the UAE has not been too keen on following the league. But this season, people have started showing an interest in games at local clubs.

"What we have achieved as a competition is there for everyone to see," Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi, President, UAE Football Association (UAE FA), told Gulf News. "But the most important element would be to get the residents come out and watch the matches as most of them are held over the weekends."

Players too have been appreciative of the progress made. "What has come in is a professional attitude among players, right from the practice sessions to actually playing," noted Al Ahli skipper Mohammad Qasim. Qasim has been lucky players to have a mentor in former Italian skipper Fabio Cannavaro. "There is no doubt that playing alongside Fabio has been an experience for me, and then there is the other part of playing against some of the top players in the world," he added.

"Of course, we have a long way to go still. But then every other country, including more successful Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea have walked this path before," he added.