UAE Football Association members rich in experience

Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE FA and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Seaports Authority, appointed the members of the new board of directors which, for the first time ever, included an all new cast of FA members.

The members, including Sheikh Saeed are not short of management or football experience as some of them were either members of local sports associations and clubs or former international footballers like Saeed Abdullah, also a FIFA referee, Mohammed Matar Al Muhairy and Yahya Abdul Karim.

Sheikh Dhiab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was the President of the UAE Sports Association for the Handicapped, Mohammed Al Otaiba was a volleyball player with Al Ain and the Chairman of the club's Executive Committee, Abdulla Al Naboodah is a polo player and the Vice-Chairman of the Al Shabab Club, Matar Al Tayer was the Secretary General of Al Nasr Club, Omran Abdullah was the Secretary General of the UAE Swimming Association and the Assistant Secretary of Al Shaab Club, while Ghanim Ahmed Ghanim was the Assistant Secretary General of Ras Al Khaimah Water Skiing Club.

The new members expressed their gratitude to Sheikh Saeed for his confidence in them and promised to improve the game in the UAE beginning with the second round world cup qualifiers which kick off on August 17 with the UAE playing against China, Uzbekistan, Qatar and Oman in group two.

The new board will hold its first meeting today at Sheikh Saeed's palace here in Abu Dhabi to distribute their portfolios and announce the coach of the national team.

Abdulla Saqr is highly expected to continue after he took over following the sacking of Frenchman Henry Michel. Dutch Tini Richs, the former assistant coach at Al Wahda Club, will work as his assistant as he was reported to sign a one year contract with the FA on Tuesday.