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• UAE national team goalkeeper Majid Nassir returns home to inspire future generation of football stars

 It may not have been EURO 2008 but for over 40 young UAE Nationals living in Fujairah, the Dubai Holding Football Camp, held at the Fujairah Al Ahli Stadium, was the stuff that dreams are made of.
 
For many of the football crazy youngsters, aged from 5-16, it was the first time that they had been able to practice their skills with a football on grass. There may not have been cups or medals to be won, but the opportunity to play their favourite sport in a real football stadium and to learn from the experience of UAE national team goalkeeper, Majid Nassir, who was born in Fujairah, was excitement enough.
 
The Dubai Holding Football Camp was organised in direct response to complaints, aired in the Arabic media, about the lack of proper football facilities in Fujairah. Youngsters complained that they were forced to play matches on stony patches of rough ground, risking both minor and serious injuries.
 
“Dubai Holding is committed to encouraging young UAE Nationals to take up sports, in particular football. We are always looking for ways to give something back to the community and when we heard about the situation in Fujairah we decided the best response would be a football camp that would allow Fujairah’s youngsters to express their passion for football on grass, in a real stadium,:” said Khalid Al Shafer, Marketing Director, Dubai Holding.
 
As the official sponsor and supporter of the UAE national football team, Dubai Holding is committed to supporting the development of sports, in particular football, in the UAE. Al Shafar said Nassir’s visit to the camp highlighted the importance Dubai Holding places on building strong relations between the national team and young people in the country.
 
“When Dubai Holding asked me to visit the camp I accepted without hesitation,” Nassir said. “There can be no greater honour for a footballer than to play for my country and I would like every child in the UAE to have the same opportunity. This camp is a great initiative and I hope that many others are organised in the future.”
 
The grass roots football camp not only gave the youngsters the opportunity to improve their skills but also have fun and make new friends at the same time. Coaches were on hand to provide advice and encouragement. Classroom style coaching sessions were held after which the youngsters were able to practice what they had learnt and play competitive matches against each other under the watchful eyes of Nassir.
 
“This camp was great. I learned alot and made many new friends," said 15-year-old Abdullah Mohammed. “Usually, I play with my friends on the beach. This is first time I have played football on grass. I hope I get the chance to do so again.”
 
Ahmed Sulaiman, 12, was another would be football star for whom playing on grass was a dream come true. “I love to play football but there are no real pitches where I live, just patches of sand with many stones. I am always getting injured or hurt. Playing on grass made me very happy.”
 
Mahmood Ali, 13, was equally grateful to Dubai Holding for organising the football camp. “I have been to this stadium with my family many times to watch games but I never thought I would have the chance to play here and meet Majid Nassir.”
 
The football camp was organised by Dubai Holding as part of its ‘For the Good of Tomorrow’ Corporate Social Responsibility programme.
 

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