Registration begins for Maktoum Soccer C’ship
DUBAI: The registration of teams opened for the eighth edition of the Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Football Championship.
The organising committee of the annual event announced that teams can now start registering for the tournament scheduled to be held during the first week of the Holy Month of Ramadan at the Dubai Police Officers Club.
The seven-a-side football championship will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Upcoming edition of this annual tournament has a total prize fund of Dh1million.
Some of the UAE’S top ex-footballers are expected to take part in the event.
Speaking about the tournament’s objectives, Major General Mohammed Saeed Al Marri, Deputy Director of Community Service Directorate at Dubai Police and head of the organising committee, said, “This annual tournament, being held in the memory of the late Sheikh Maktoum and under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his brother Shaikh Zayed, is to popularise football among people residing in the community as it meets during the Holy Ramadan.”
Last year Khamis Al Mazeina Team, represented by Dubai Police, lifted the title with a 2-1 win over Bin Darwish in the final.
In addition to the football tournament, there will be competitions open to all nationalities in gym rowing, power lifting, 3,000 metres running race and Cross Fit challenge.
Once the registration is done, the participating teams will be divided into four groups. After the preliminary rounds, the top two teams from each group will advance to the knock-out quarterfinals.
“This tournament has been hugely popular since we held it for the first time in 2011.”