Dubai: The four winning teams of the Dubai Schools Football Cup 2014 (DSFC) were left to cherish their visit to watch Manchester United take on Hull City at Old Trafford last week.
Lycée Français International Georges Pompidou Boys U-15, Dubai National School Al Barsha Boys U-12 and St. Mary’s Catholic High School Girls U-16 and Girls U-13 attended the Barclays Premier League match at Old Trafford last week, courtesy of Chevrolet, after winning their respective age category tournaments.
Surrounded by a sea of red and the deafening cheers of tens of thousands of supporters, the DSFC champs experienced the full atmosphere that the comraderie between supporters of Manchester United creates in a packed stadium.
The match was a tight battle between two giants of the football world filled with unforgettable moments and chants coming from both sides to fill the stadium with an electric atmosphere. Playing the final home match, Manchester United went on to win 3-1 under interim player-manager Ryan Giggs.
“I can’t describe what it feels like to be here at Old Trafford and be one of the thousands of other supporters cheering my favourite team in the world. It’s like a dream, it’s amazing! We were all singing as a team to support Manchester and make sure they win. I would like to thank Chevrolet and Dubai Schools Football Cup for this amazing opportunity,” said Enguerran Majerus, captain of the boys U15 team from LLFGP.
“Chevrolet is very proud to be involved and to give the winners of the Dubai Schools Football Cup this unique opportunity. We know they will be taking home many memories and learnings that will serve them well in preparation for DSFC 2015,” noted Ahmad Sudoudi, Brand Manager, Chevrolet.
The four winning teams were also treated to an exclusive behind the scenes tour of Old Trafford. The tour began in the Old Trafford museum and the students were guided through the eras in the history of Manchester United and a chance to see first hand all the trophies won by the Red Devils.
The group then visited the stadium press room followed by a walk throug the changing rooms where their heroes’ jerseys were hung up, and finally a walk through the champions’ tunnel onto the Old Trafford pitch.
Chantel Pereira, captain of U-16 girls from St Mary’s Catholic School, said: “The match at Old Trafford was amazing. I got to watch one of my idols, Juan Mata, play live and the fact that we got to go on the tour of Old Trafford and walk in the steps on the players from the changing room, through the tunnel and onto the pitch was incredible, almost like meeting Beyoncé.”
“This tour was a great surprise for us. It was amazing to watch the match then walk through the footsteps of the great Manchester United players behind the scenes. We got to see the changing room area where they meet up before and after matches and then we walked through the tunnel onto the pitch of one of the greatest football stadiums. I had a great time,” said Corontin Jaouen from U15 Lycee Francais International de George Pompidou.
The DSFC in partnership with Dubai Sports Council promotes a healthy active lifestyle in students from all backgrounds and nationalities in Dubai. It brings together a diverse group of people and uses football to cement their friendship and reinforce a healthy, active lifestyle and ethos which will successfully carry them into their adult lives.
Organised by Inspiratus, the initiative was backed by DSC, the Dubai Educational Zone and the Princess Haya Initiative for the Development of Health, Physical Education and School Sports. The prizes for the winning teams included an all expenses paid three-day trip to the UK to attend a Premier League match along with a full day training clinic and a behind-the-scenes tour of Old Trafford.
