Abu Dhabi: Former Al Jazira striker Ahmad Hamood has become the first UAE national coach to gain official accreditation at Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS) in Abu Dhabi.
The 42-year-old, who worked as a physical education (PE) teacher during his 16-year career, has successfully completed an intensive coach training programme under the guidance of MUSS coaches from the UK over the last six months.
"It's a great honour to be the first local coach officially recognised in this way by Manchester United Soccer Schools," said Hamood. "I'm very happy because I like the Manchester United way of doing things.
Attention to detail
"Working with the coaches here and the ones who visit from the UK teaches you a lot. You learn something new every day. I have seen how other soccer schools work and MUSS is the best because of the attention to detail in everything they do.
"They don't just coach the children; they educate them and show them how to behave, on and off the field, and to set an example for other kids."
Andy Dixon, MUSS head coach in Abu Dhabi, said: "We're delighted to confirm Ahmad's accreditation and hope he will be the first of many UAE nationals to earn their coaching credentials with us."
Hamood joined Al Jazira as a 15 year old and played for the club from 1978-1991, He is also a member of the UAE national Olympics squad. After graduating from university, he taught PE at a range of primary and secondary schools in Abu Dhabi before taking up his current position as a head of department in the academic health sport programme at the Adnoc Petroleum Institute. He is now qualified to take charge of MUSS coaching sessions in Abu Dhabi, beginning with the ten-week course currently under way at Dome@Rawdhat on Airport Road.
