Khalifa: Historic win deserves reward

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has instructed that Dh500,000 be given to each player of the UAE football team for winning the 18th Gulf Cup championship on Tuesday.

The reward, in appreciation of the UAE's historic victory, was announced amid scenes of jubilation across the nation yesterday.

The reward does not include special bonuses announced earlier following a streak of wins the UAE registered against Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The team rode a brilliant strike by Esmail Mattar on Tuesday to beat Oman 1-0 and win the cup for the first time in UAE's football history.

Shaikh Khalifa also ordered that technical and administrative officials of the team, members of the UAE Football Association and the Organising Committee of the 18th Gulf Cup Championship be given cash rewards as well.

Shaikh Khalifa received the football heroes at his palace yesterday in the presence of several shaikhs and top officials. He praised the team's high morale throughout the tournament.

“The historic win was a deserved reward,'' he said, praising the team management, the UAE Football General Assembly, the UAE Football Association and UAE fans for their support. He assured the team of his continued support.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, will receive the national team tomorrow.

Financial bonanza awaits the UAE team

The Dubai Sports channel began a donation campaign for the UAE national football team for being champions of the Gulf Cup.

The open studio of the channel had been receiving donations through direct telephone calls, e-mails and faxes.

The donations till 8 pm yesterday amounted to over Dh16 million and the figure kepton mounting every minute.

Following is a list of the main donators for the UAE team yesterday: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan-Dh500,000 for each player; Khalaf Al Habtour Dh3 million; Emirates Post Dh2 million; Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Dh2 million; Etisalat Dh2 million; Firsan International Petroleum Services Dh 1100000; Dubai Sports City Dh1 million; Surooh Dh 1 million; Abdul Rahim Al Sayed Al Hashimy Dh1 million; Al Boom Holding Dh1 million; Al Qudra Holding Dh1 million; Naser Al Dhahery Dh500000; Aghani Channel Dh500000.

Ben Hamouda Cars and Al Masoud Group of companies have presented 26 cars each for the national team.

Do you think Mattar should now move to the European League? Which other player in the UAE team has a chance of making it abroad?