Dubai: Dutch star Edgar Davids has urged the inclusion of street style football in the set up with the ultimate aim of achieving the development of the UAE national squad.
"Street soccer and how it can be used is the next big challenge in the sport. Street soccer is all about individual skills and these can go a long way in improving the standard of play in a team," Davids told Gulf News.
Davids was in Dubai as one of the ambassadors for the UAE finals of the Red Bull Street Style held at Uptown yesterday. He is the brand ambassador for the sport in all 52 countries that Street Style is held worldwide.
"I had fun playing and all my efforts are now focused in helping kids stay back in schools by using Street Style as a medium.
"I had a great childhood and now is it my time to give something back, so I try to motivate them," Davids said.
The former Dutch international believes Argentinean Diego Maradona popularised the concept of Street Style following his exceptional ball skills. "I think he gave Street Style the attention it needed," Davids said.
"Street Style is very important for the development of youth. You don't have any opposition except the one facing you and you don't have any rules and the game does not discriminate. It's all up to what you are capable of doing with the ball," he said.
He is best recognised for his dreadlocked hair and the protective goggles he wears while playing. Brazilian legend Pele chose him on his Fifa 100 list of the world's greatest living footballers.
Davids does not believe the UAE is capable of producing the next world champion, but that does not mean the sport does not have a role to play here.
"I don't think the UAE is capable producing the next world champion as they do not have a street soccer culture here. But I do know they are mad about soccer here," Davids said.
"I think they need to build up the profile of the game here by giving the players technical skills as street soccer is all about technique."
"The element of individual skill stands out in Street Soccer and that is important to have yourself chosen in a team," he added, offering examples of world class teams such as Brazil, France and The Netherlands.
"All these countries have players who have been in some way associated with street soccer. So they couldn't have been wrong."
