DSC fetes Blues’ Drogba with Medal of First Line of Defence

DUBAI: Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast superstar Didier Drogba was felicitated by Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council (DSC), in appreciation of his support for the Council’s ‘Be Fit, Be Safe’ campaign.

The trio of Hareb, Drogba and Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of DSC met and discussed a number of projects and initiatives where the Ivorian is keen to collaborate with the council and invest in Dubai’s growing sports sector.

Hareb vowed to extend all kinds of support to the players from across the globe for the development of the sports in Dubai and UAE.

He welcomed the two-time African Football Player of the Year, and said DSC is always keen support all kinds of initiatives that meet the Council’s strategic objectives, as well as encourage players to invest in Dubai’s growing sports sector and become a part of the emirate’s sports family.

Thanking Hareb and Rahma for the warm reception at the council, Drogba, who toured every section of DSC and met the staff, and spent considerable time in the “Innovation Lab” playing table tennis, said: “I have been coming to Dubai since 2004-2005, and from that time I made a lot of friends who have also become family.

“There’s also the sports family and so it is important for me to come here to Dubai Sports Council and tell the Council that I am here as a sportsman, as someone who has a passion for activity.”

Considered one of Chelsea’s greatest, Drogba, who won four English Premier League titles and a Champions League crown in a decorated eightyear career with the London club, is looking for investment opportunities in Dubai.

“First, it is a place I have been coming to since 2004, and second, the people here are really friendly and welcoming, and have even become my brothers. Also for the quality of life, for the kids, for the security and for the overall quality,” said Drogba, 42, who was the Man of Match in the 2012 Champions League final, scoring an 88th minute equaliser for Chelsea against Bayern Munich to force the game into penalties, where The Blues prevailed 4-3.

“The development here has also been amazing and I want to congratulate Dubai’s leadership for all their efforts to make sure people live here happy and in a safe place.”

Talking about the changes he has witnessed in Dubai since coming here first, Drogba said: “Oh my God, the changes… I think it is impossible to describe it.