Shaikh Khalifa receives Bani Yas club chairman

Al Ain: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan received on Saturday at Al Rawdha Palace in Al Ain Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and chairman of Bani Yas Football Club. He presented Shaikh Khalifa with the GCC Clubs Football Championship trophy, clinched by Bani Yas after beating Al Khor of Qatar 2-0 in the final.

Shaikh Khalifa congratulated the Bani Yas team on winning the coveted prize. He said championships could only be achieved by perseverance, dedication, loyalty and efforts.

Shaikh Khalifa also said the UAE had been attaching great importance to sports, the development of which is a reflection of the progress attained in all walks of life.

He expressed his keenness to provide support to sports and athletes in the UAE so they can achieve glory for their country in regional and international arenas.

He urged the champions of the GCC Clubs Football Championship to take this achievement as a precursor for more to come and to act as true ambassadors of their country and role models for ethics and sportsmanship.

Shaikh Saif expressed pleasure at dedicating the win to Shaikh Khalifa for his unlimited support to sports in the UAE.

He said the Bani Yas club were determined to continue their efforts for more achievements under his leadership.

The meeting was attended by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and head of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy National Security Advisor, Shaikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and Deputy Chairman of Bani Yas club, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saif Al Nahyan, Ahmad Juma Al Za’abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs, Khalfan Sultan Bin Hidairim Al Ketbi, Under Secretary of the President’s Private Department, other shaikhs and senior officials.