Dubai: Winning teams from the UAE Schools Cup visited Manchester United’s Old Trafford Stadium last weekend to watch the Premier League game against Leicester City. They also took part in a coaching clinic with United staff and had a tour of the ground, all thanks to sponsors Chevrolet.
Twenty-one players between the ages of 11 and 17, from Al Yasmina School and Philadelphia Private School, travelled to the UK as part of their prize for winning the title.
Claire Purtell, who captained the girls Under-17 side, said: “Our team worked hard for this trip and it has been an amazing few days in Manchester. The training made us realise that as a female footballer anything is possible and being at Old Trafford for the match was surreal — I’ll never forget it.”
Mohammad Al Shabrawy, Under-14 boys captain, added: “This trip has really boosted my confidence and I now believe that if I work hard that I can follow my dream of being a professional player. When we were at the match at Old Trafford, all I could think of was one day that could be me on the pitch, scoring a goal with 75,000 fans cheering for me. It was amazing.”
The UAE Schools Cup is part of the du Football Champions tournament, a nationwide initiative headed by former Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado to develop the game and discover the next generation of local talent.
