Subait Khater, the UAE national team and Al Ain club player, was honoured by the UAE Football Association as the best football player in the UAE during the last season 2004 -2005 according to the FA poll which sport writers, coaches and officials took part in it.

Subait was honoured in the FA closing ceremony function held at the Dubai Police Officers club on Sunday night.

Regi Varghese/Gulf News
UAE FA Board of Directors member and referees committee head Ali Bujsaim (left) is honoured by Sultan Saqr Al Suwaidi during the FA closing ceremony as FA Board Chairman Yousuf Al Sarkal (right) looks on.

Sultan Saqr Al Suwaidi, General Secretary of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, Yousuf Yaqoub Al Sarkal, the FA board chairman, Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi, deputy chairman, and other FA Board members and clubs representatives attended the event.

The best UAE football player was not present since he was in Portugal for the Luis Figo charity match held on Saturday. Subait was the only Arab player who played in the match.

Mohammad Bin Doukhan, the FA secretary, made a short speech on behalf of the FA Board members. He congratulated the league champions Al Wahda club and President's Cup Champions Al Ain club. Bin Doukhan also congratulated Bani Yas and Diba Al Hesn the new comers to the First division.

The FA general secretary said that the last season was one of the most successful seasons in the UAE football. "Technicaly and financially the season it was very successful. We completed all tournaments for seniors, youth and also for the national teams. Also we succeeded in bringing sponsors for the FA activities; Dubai Holding and Emirates airlines. I hope we continue the same success in the coming season." said Bin Doukhan.

Sultan Al Suwaidi and Al Sarkal honoured the FA sponsors and the corporations who contributed in making the last season a success.

The FA honoured Fifa referee Farid Ali as the best UAE referee in the last season and Naser Bahrouz as the best assistant referee. Also the teams who won the Fair Play award were honoured in the function.