Shaikh Mohammad awards players

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, awarded each player of the victorious UAE team with a villa in their respective emirates.

Shaikh Mohammad has presented this as a gesture of appreciation for their efforts to win the 18th Gulf Cup in the history of the UAE football.

Shaikh Mohammad yesterday afternoon met the members of the victorious team, the head and members of the UAE Football Association and other officials at his Zabeel Palace.

Team spirit

Shaikh Mohammad congratulated and commended the team spirit which led the team to victory - making all, from the leaders to all the people of the country, very happy.

Shaikh Mohammad spoke to the team members with the warm feelings of a sportsman, human being, and leader keen for the advancement of his nation and people on all possible levels.

Shaikh Mohammad said: "You have done a good job. I asked you to be lions, you truly became the lions of the football stadium, especially in the presence of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, my presence and that of most of the UAE Shaikhs, Ministers and UAE people. Everyone did a great job in encouraging you to succeed.

"I was in constant communication with the officials of the Football Association, especially Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the head of the UAE FA general Assembly, to inquire about your training and performance."

The reception was attended by number of Shaikhs, Ministers and officials.

Shaikh Mohammad also reminded the team of his directives during his visit to the team's training camp at Abu Dhabi Hilton last Ramadan.

Essence of success

Shaikh Mohammad had emphasised then that determination was the essence of success.

Shaikh Mohammad also emphasised that all the people who were at the stadium were interacting with the game immensely.

"This interaction was natural and reflected the true national feelings, which led me to jump out of my chair when UAE scored against Oman."

Shaikh Mohammad also commended the performance of all the participating Gulf teams in the championship.