Leading personalities call for revamp of system

Dubai: Some of the top sports personalities in the country have called for an immediate revamp of the system in an attempt to accelerate the emergence of the UAE as a football power.

The sportsmen were involved in a seminar entitled 'Football in the UAE: Present and Future' held at the Dubai Press Club.

The panel of speakers at the seminar included Ahmad Eisa, a former sportsman and writer, Mohammad Mattar, chairman of the Competitions Committee with the UAE Football Association, Mahmoud Al Rabi', a senior journalist from Arabic daily Al Ettihad, Saeed Abdullah, a member of the UAE FA and head of the Referees' Committee and Fahad Masaood, the UAE and Al Wahda wing back.

Unanimous decision

Rashid Al Za'abi, an eminent journalist from Al Etihad moderated the discussions. All speakers were unequivocal in the observation that while the economy has surged, sports has suffered a regression in the UAE.

They were also unanimous in their view that the policies presently followed in the UAE on football are insufficient to result in the emergence of a strong national squad capable of facing the challenges of the times. All speakers called upon authorities in the health, education and sports sectors to come together and frame a sound policy for sports in the country.

The speakers pointed out that the educational and cultural standards of the players in the 1960s and 70s were much better than those of today.

Shrinking role

This, they said, were due to the shrinking role of the social and cultural activities in the sports clubs. They added that the reasons behind the decline of the UAE team after the 18th Gulf Cup were technical and moral.

Talking about the reasons for the UAE not having a team at the World Cup since 1990, the speakers said that with the passing of an entire generation from the scene by the end of the century, the sport suffered a period of total neglect until last year when the country's team won the 18th Gulf Cup, which was held in the UAE. Although this victory showed signs of a revival, it soon lost steam and the sport began retreating again.

The participants said that while the playgrounds have been turned around in a very professional way, much thought has not been given on the administrative and preparatory sides.