Sport | Football
Tahlak vows to set benchmark
Tournament director promises an event to remember
- By Alaric Gomes, Senior Reporter, Gulf News
- Published: 00:00 November 16, 2009
Dubai: Tournament director Salah Tahlak has promised that the Fifa Beach Soccer World Cup being held in Dubai will be "the best-ever" event of its kind.
"What we have before us is enough to point in this direction. Dubai has a name on the international scene and we have just taken this image a notch higher with the setting up of these facilities at Umm Suqeim Beach," Tahlak told Gulf News.
"Dubai is known the world over for its high-profile image and its expertise at doing things on a grand and different stage. We love what we do and we are passionate about what we do. And this tournament is no different," he added.
"This tournament has been in Brazil and last year in France. But we intend to set a benchmark for all future events with this one here."
The Umm Suqeim Beach facing the iconic Burj Al Arab has been transformed into a beehive of activity with the venue staging the Asian qualifying rounds last week.
Besides the main stadium that can easily house 7,000 spectators, there are other smaller grounds for preliminary round matches and practice.
Entry for the first three days is free of charge, while a nominal entry fee will be collected for the knockout stages of the competition. "We will make this into a Beach Soccer World Cup to remember," Tahlak promised.
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