Dubai Schools Football Cup A Landmark Success;
Winners Head to Old Trafford
Lycee Francais International George Pompidou, Dubai National School (Al Barsha) and St. Mary’s Catholic School, victorious after a marathon 8-week championship
The Dubai Schools Football Cup (DSFC), a historic tournament that brought together over 2,000 school children from all over Dubai, concluded yesterday after a marathon 8-week run that saw some of the best youth matches every played in the Emirate.
Out of a record 40 teams, Dubai National School (Al Barsha) Boys U12, Lycee Francais International George Pompidou Boys U15 and in an incredible feat St. Mary’s Catholic School in both the Girls U13 and Girls U16 took home the gold and their tickets to England, after winning the Cup finals yesterday, and will be traveling to Old Trafford next month courtesy of DSFC Main Sponsor Chevrolet, to watch Manchester United in a Premier League match and attend a football clinic conducted by Manchester United coaches courtesy of DSFC Main Sponsor Emirates NBD.
During the awards ceremony, DSFC Director, Michel Salgado said: “We’ve seen some terrific raw talent and some excellent skills at Dubai Schools Football Cup over the past eight weeks. There are definitely a few leaders among the children we’ve watched. Above all, we have enjoyed watching children learning and practicing healthy competition. Football is so much more than the game, a ball, and a set of rules. It is a training ground for life and was wonderful to see so many people enjoy it.”
Winning teams were overwhelmed with emotion as they made their way to the stage to receive the Cup, medals and prizes. “We came here to play the game we love. We managed to get through and come in first place in a challenging final match against Sabis – Choueifat. Winning today has been amazing and DSFC is one of the best tournaments we have ever participated in and we look forward to next year,” said Majerus from Lycee International George Pompidou after their 2-0 win against Sabis – Choueifat in the Boys U15 final.
The boys U12 final was a nail biter with the penalty shoot out being the final deciding factor. “We won!!! I can’t believe it! We’re going to England to see my favorite team. Manchester United, here we come! Thanks so much to the organizers and to Chevrolet and Emirates NBD . We were up against strong competition but this is really amazing,” said Abdullah from Dubai National School (Al Barsha) after his team beat Al Shafie 3-2 (2-2) in the Boys U12 final.
Not to be outdone, the girls’ teams played to a packed stadium of supporters, during the finals. In the Girls U16, St. Mary’s Catholic School snuck past top scorers Lycee Francais International George Pompidou with a 3-1 win in an unexpected victory. Team captain Chantel said after the match. “It’s been a wonderful experience, none of us expected to win and it will be amazing when we go to school and tell everyone we won. Our team played so well together and we trained hard, week after week to improve our skills, build our stamina and stay at the top of our game.”
Hussein Murad, Dubai Schools Football Cup President and CEO of Inspiratus said, “The DSFC has far exceeded our expectations. We set out to bring the Dubai youth community together and help nurture in them qualities that are key to their development, namely leadership, humility, collaboration and adaptability. What we did not expect is that the DSFC has become the new home of Dubai’s youth football enthusiasts! We thank the Dubai Sports Council for their partnership and our sponsors Chevrolet and Emirates NBD for making the youth’s dream come true.”
In its inaugural year, the Dubai Schools Football Cup has set the bar high for youth sports in Dubai and the planning committee is already marking out next year’s calendar, so schools, be ready. DSFC 2015 is right around the corner.
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