UAE FA Academy League’s Season Announced with Expanded Categories

The UAE Football Association announced today the launch of the second season of UAE FA Academy League (UAE FAAL), which has been expanded to run with 3 categories U18, U16 & U14.  The landmark youth football league in it’s inaugural season changed the face of youth football in UAE, enabling for the first time in the UAE for Club academies to play competitive matches against top private football academies across the nation.

The announcement was made at a press conference held today at the UAE FA, attended by H.E. Mr. Hisham Al Zarooni, member of the board UAE FA and Chairman of Football Association Academy, Mr. Ibrahim Al Nimr Assistant Secretary General UAE FA, Mr. Walid Al Hosani, CEO PLC, Dr. Khalid Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director, Football Association Academy,  and Hussein Murad, CEO, Inspiratus, the organizers of the UAE FAAL, as well as officials from the UAE Football Association, Sports Councils and Educational Authorities and other invited guests.

With youth football development high on the national agenda, the UAE FAAL has created a highly competitive platform which enables both national club academies and private academies an opportunity to raise the bar of youth football

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Ibrahim Al Nimr Assistant Secretary General UAE FA said, “We recognize that the development of our future stars in football starts today and at UAE FA, we are committed to supporting platforms such as this where our youth experience a high level of competition preparing them to play at national, regional and international standards.”

“Through the UAE FAAL, for the first time, we enable our club teams to scout talents from among UAE nationals as well as UAE resident youth football players from across the country,” continued Al Nimr.

The UAE FAAL will kick off in January and will be open to top private academies and all UAE Football Club academies to compete in a nationwide championship. Talented players will also have the opportunity to be discovered by scouts from national and international clubs who will be attending matches.

Speaking at the press conference, Dr. Khalid M. Abdullah said, “Following the successful launch of the first season of the league, we are very pleases to expand our categories and enable younger football talents with the opportunity to participate in our competitive league.   This platform allows our aspiring football talents both national and UAE residents alike the opportunity to be discovered and developed at professional standards supporting our nation’s call for football excellence.   We look forward to our second season.”

“The UAE FAAL represents the highest level of competition for national club academies and private academies.   With expanded categories we are certain that this season will provide the youth football talents across the nation with an opportunity to raise their level of football and pursue their football aspirations both nationally and internationally.”  commented Hussein Murad, CEO Inspiratus Sports Experience and organizers of UAE FAAL.