The UAE have firmly established itself as a staying power in the Gulf and Asia thanks to the sustainable programmes that are available in the country reckons Dr Belhassen Malouche technical director UAE Football Association (UAEFA).

"From the Arabian Football League to the league cum knockout and the President's Cup competitions here the UAEFA has proven itself as a rising force in Asian football" Dr Malouche told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of a refresher cum seminar for the UAEFA youth coaches of the leading clubs and associated members.

"The country has a full time and devoted Emirati in Mahdi Ali who knows his job well and has been able to inspire and guide the national team superbly which saw them win the bronze in the last Asian Cup in Australia. Now with two clearcut victories over Timor and Malaysia we have started our World Cup qualification on a right note. Palestine and Saudi Arabia remain as the next hurdles in our group qualification campaign" Malouche who did a science and technical thesis on sport for his doctorate in Romania and France said.

The former Tunisia national youth team and club player and assistant coach of the Tunisian senior national squad who is into his third year here said: "The introduction of foreign players and coaches in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) and associated tournaments for the past seasons will help local talent know of the existing levels abroad. The physical fitness and basic skill routines which are set standards in Europe Asia and South America are now common knowledge for the locally bred players. See the competitive levels the AGL and the knockout events have produced this season and the past three- to five years."

"Getting one or two players into the senior national squad on a regular basis at least from an original grassroot programme is a big achievement as far as sustainability goes. Just producing world class youth sides is not enough. The ultimate goal should be the senior side. As far as the UAE are concerned we have great lads who have matured and grown form the lists of those born in 1997 1999 and 2001. The past four-five years have seen a minimum of two in the final seniors list for the big events" he added.

"The UAEFA has five broad divisions for it development programmes including specialisation for the goalkeeping aspects. The healthy aspect is that UAE nationals are fully into the system required to survive at the top and are now able to make the transition into the Olympic and senior national squads with ease. Mahdi whose capable leadership is the best example for futures coaches to take full time responsibilities. Even clubs in the premier and lower divisions are full into absorbing Emiratis as the head coaches these days" Dr Malouche continued.

"We give enough attention for all the clubs schools and private academies apart from our own academy which is five in number today. The women's programme and beach soccer developmental aspects have given encouragement the past few seasons and a coach like Guga (Gustavo Zloccowicz of Brazil) has worked wonders in beach soccer with his expertise and experience while guiding the national side" he said.

"The UAEFA has ambitions that centres on providing a continuous supply of skill sets and talent for the Olympic and senior outfits with buildup formations in the under 14 15 16 17 19 and 21 squads" the former Fifa development officer technical director for Africa and the Middle East and instructor said.

Moni Mathews Sports journalist for the past 25 years after a 12-year stint in aviation and sports management.