Active on the pitch: It's back to school for Al Jazira

 Abu Dhabi : Al Jazira Club yesterday launched a new initiative at Al Muna Primary School in Abu Dhabi through one of their promising young stars, Sultan Bargash, with a loud and clear message: Football is more fun and a healthier activity when it is played on the pitch instead of video games.

Last season's runners-up have appointed International Football Academy to assist them in their venture of taking football to 42 schools across the capital with the aim of getting youngsters to adopt a more active lifestyle. Bargash's presence at yesterday's session created quite a stir among the students who were clearly determined to impress the 21-year-old UAE midfielder with some skills of their own. "I'm happy to be among the children. Seeing them smile cheers me up," said Bargash. "If someone from a sports club comes to be with them, they will certainly develop a great love for sport and live healthier lives."

While it's no secret that UFL clubs are keener than ever to get the local community involved in the country's top football league, Jazira hope such schemes can also serve to bring more fans to their state of the art Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium. "When I spoke to the children, many of them said they are Al Jazira fans," said Bargash. "It only requires them to tell their friends that a Jazira player came to their school today and that may lead to more children becoming Al Jazira fans."

Meanwhile, Bargash and his teammates will welcome surprise table-toppers Bani Yas in the fifth round of the UFL this weekend.