(MENAFNEditorial) The UAE Schools Cup 2016 winning teams from Al Yasmina School and Philadelphia Private School were given the trip of a lifetime to Old Trafford over the weekend, where they participated in a training clinic led by Manchester United coaches and watched live one of the most anticipated matches of the season the Manchester United v. Leiscester City match, courtesy of Cup Main Sponsor Chevrolet.
21 players between the ages of 11 and 17 travelled to the UK as part of their winning prize for the UAE Schools Cup 2016.
"The UAE School Cup sponsorship has been a great success story for us whereby it has allowed us to feature the power of play with many of the young UAE football talent. Moreover, the trip to Manchester United with the U14 boys from Philadelphia Private School and U17 girls from Al Yasmina School in Abu Dhabi is a once in a lifetime trip for many of these young kids who lives Chevrolet is truly trying to impact." said Abdallah Madhoun, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Chevrolet, GM Middle East.
"From supporting these children right here in the UAE, to connecting with our fans around the Middle East, and being an official supporter of Manchester United, we believe that play has the power to change lives and shape our communities," he continued.
Surrounded by a sea of red and blue and the deafening cheers of 75,000 supporters, the UAE Schools Cups champs experienced the electric atmosphere in the jam-packed Old Trafford stadium. With Manchester United rallying to victory following a harsh start, the match was a reminder of what it takes to be a true football legend.
Speaking after the match Hussein Murad, CEO Inspiratus Sports Experience, the organizers of the duFC UAE Schools Cup said, "The past three days we have witnessed some professional athletes in the making. Winners from the UAE Schools Cup girls U17 Al Yasmina School and boys U14 Philadelphia Private School this year are an exception group and this trip celebrates their achievements and we hope that it inspires them to fulfill their football aspirations to become pro-footballers like those they saw on the pitch at Old Trafford."
"With our partners Abu Dhabi Sports Council, ADEC, Dubai Sports Council, KHDA and our main sponsors Chevrolet, we are so proud to be able to bring this once in a lifetime experience to the winners which will no doubt encourage the young champions to become better students, leaders and pursue their passion for football."
The exclusive training led by Manchester United coaches gave the students first-hand experience of UK football which is characterized by speed and tempo, key in the training and development of the world's greatest players such as Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.
The students were also treated to a private behind the scenes tour of Old Trafford where they followed in the footsteps of their heroes, and ended the tour in the magnificent home and away team's seats.
Speaking after the match Claire Purtell, Captain of the Girls U17 said, "Our team worked hard for this trip and it has been an amazing few days in Manchester. The training made us realize that as a female footballer anything is possible and being at Old Trafford today for the match was surreal – I'll never forget it."
Commenting on the trip Mohamed El Shabrawy, Captain of the Boys U14 said, "This trip has really boosted my confidence and I now believe that if I work hard that I can follow my dream of being a professional player. When we were at the match at Old Trafford, all I could think of was one day that could be me on the pitch, scoring a goal with 75,000 fans cheering for me. It was amazing!"
The du Football Champions is a nationwide initiative featuring the UAE's official schools Cup and Streets Cup. Conducted in partnership with KHDA, ADEC, Dubai Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Sharjah Sports Council, it aims to achieve sustainable human development through the discovery of promising talents, who will raise the bar on sports excellence at local and national teams as they become the next generation of professional male and female footballers.
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