UAE unveil under-17 WC
The countdown to the Fifa Under-17 World Cup one of the biggest football events ever staged in the UAE - officially started on Tuesday night with the unveiling of the tournament's emblem. A total of 24 teams will compete in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah between October 17 and November 8 this year.
"We are pleased and proud to host the world's biggest event for the future stars in football, with the best 24 teams of their age category in the world," Yousuf Al Sarkal, the Chairman of the UAE FA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), told the gathering at Emirates Palace.
"The UAE has achieved great success in the past in organising some of Fifa's biggest competitions, including the Under-20 World Cup and the Fifa Club World Cup, and we are determined to register yet more unprecedented success in this tournament, helped by the kind support of our leaders, our nation's love for the game and our modern sports media.
"The emblem is taken from our country's rich marine heritage and refers to a dear part of our history." The emblem depicts an oyster shell and pearl with the colours of the UAE flag and is taken from the country's heritage of pearl diving - one of the Emirates' main sources of income up until the early part of the last century.
"Pearl diving is part of our national heritage, as is football, and it is natural for the two to come together in a celebration of sports at such an important international event," Al Sarkal added, while also wishing the participating teams a comfortable stay and good luck in the competition.
Shaikh Ali Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the representative of Fifa, thanked the UAE for their hospitality and expressed his confidence that they will achieve great success in the organisation of the event.
"Since 1985 when the Fifa Under-17 tournament was first staged, it has been a mine of future stars and an entertaining event with all the world keen to watch. I am sure the whole world will be watching the matches in the 23 days of competition. Fifa is confident of its success, which will be achieved judging by former events organised in the UAE."