Sir Dave Richards is AGL ambassador
dubai — A new developmental programme involving the English Premier League (EPL) directly, will give a further boost to the Arabian Gulf League (AGL), organised and managed by the Pro-League Committee (PLC).
“The first step in this direction will be to initiate the ‘Arabian Gulf League Ambassador Programme’,” said Abdulla Naser Al Junaibi, PLC chairman, at an announcement in Dubai on Sunday.
“The idea of this programme came to light out of our desire to raise the awareness of our league — locally and globally, and to develop marketing strategies, expand the base of fans and followers, as well as to create new sales opportunities,” he added.
To achieve the targets set and to help guide professional football in the UAE, the PLC has appointed Sir Dave Richards, founder member and former chairman of EPL as the AGL ambassador.
After officially taking up his new position during the function on Sunday, Richards, said: “I am honoured to be bestowed with such high responsibilities by the PLC and the AGL, and my first priority would be to establish a direct link between the EPL and AGL outfits.”
“I have been visiting the UAE for the past 20 years or so and I have found the levels of the sport rising at a fast pace, the latest being the jump into full professionalism from just an ordinary national league till a few years ago,” Richards, senior vice president of the Football Association, (England) added.
The official’s career portfolio has an impressive list including being a former owner and chairman of Sheffield Wednesday FC; chairman of the European League; member of the Fifa International Board; in addition to many other leading positions in the sport.
“We have to get the clubs here and in England to establish meaningful dialogue to friendlies arranged and later move on to player exchange programmes. Look at some of the players especially from Africa. They send youngsters to the clubs in the EPL for development programmes.
“The youngsters have used the skills and experience gained as trainees at the EPL grassroot setups and gone on to represent their national squads, and some have returned to the EPL senior teams. The benefit is a two-way affair and of immense mutual benefit.”
He said: “The trust between the clubs have to be mutual and has to be linked directly not only for player development but also to learn ways especially by the managements here of how to get long standing loyal supporters.
“Professional football is still young here. Some more time and investments in terms of human resources and projects have to be seen through this can be slowly evolved to take the national standards and fan base to new levels.”
“What I have seen from the AGL matches in the past years since inception is the improvement in the technical and managerial aspects of the sides which today are of international standard, and there is still lots of room for more allround growth,” he continued.