Sport | Football
Mohammad honours players
Shaikh Mohammad received members of the triumphant national under-19 and the under-17 football teams, ordering a house for each player who does not have one of his own in his emirate.
- WAM
- Published: 23:40 November 18, 2008
- Image Credit: WAM
- Shaikh Mohammad receives Ahmad Khalil, star of the UAE under-19 team's triumph and other members and officials of the youth teams on Tuesday.
Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Tuesday received members of the triumphant national under-19 and the under-17 football teams.
Shaikh Mohammad ordered a house for each player who does not have one of his own in the player's emirate, and a scholarship for each member of both teams who wishes to pursue his education.
The gift was in appreciation of the superb performance of the national under- 17 and under-19 youth teams and their great achievement of qualifying for the youth World Cup finals, to be held in Nigeria and Egypt respectively, next year.
Shaikh Mohammad also ordered that coach Mehdi Ali, who led the under-19 team to the continental glory, to be a full time professional with full entitlements and be exempted from his normal duties at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority.
Full confidence
Shaikh Mohammad has also bestowed his full confidence on the coach for leading the team to glory, and urged him to double his efforts in the pursuit of more glory.
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Shaikh Mohammad said the achievement was a great one by the national youth in a significant Asian championship, which opened the door for them to participate in two prestigious international football events in Nigeria and Egypt in 2009.
He expressed great happiness at the achievement, which he described as a source of pride for all UAE nationals.
He said the way to more laurels is a long one and hence the teams must endeavour to work harder and make the sky their only limit.
A number of shaikhs, officials of the UAE Football Association and other leading members of youth and sport in the country were present at the meeting. Shaikh Mohammad also held a lunch banquet in honour of members of the two teams and their officials.
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