Stage set for open-door policy in UAE
ALL SPORTS FEDERATIONS ASKED TO IMPLEMENT KHALIFA’S DECREE FROM SEPTEMBER
The stage is set for the implementation of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s groundbreaking decree last November to allow players born to UAE women with expat husbands, players holding UAE passports, players born in the UAE and players residing in the UAE, to compete in official sports competitions in the UAE. All the sports federations will be implementing the cabinet-approved regulations from September.
This was announced in a press briefing by Major General Mohammad Khalfan Al Rumaithi, President of the UAE General Authority for Sports, at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council office yesterday.
“Under the patronage of the wise leadership of the UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we are honoured to issue the resolution for the participation of categories of players. The resolution marks a milestone in the UAE sports history as it will encourage more players and athletes to participate in different sports,” said Al Rumaithi in the press briefing.
UAE Football Federation and Group Sports Federations comprising Basketball, Volleyball and Handball are classified in first group federations.
In football, players born to UAE women with expat husbands, players holding UAE passports, players born in the UAE and players residing in the UAE can take part in all competitions in age groups: male/female (4-8 years), male/female (8-12 years), male/female (12-18 years).
Own guidelines
However, in case of male/female (18-21 years and above), the team can only register three players born in the UAE and three players residing in the UAE. A total of six players will join the usual 30 registered squad in each team. The same holds with basketball, volleyball and handball but here in the case of male/female (18-21 years and above), the team can only register 10 players born in the UAE and 10 players residing in the UAE.
The council, however, has asked the federations to come up with their own guidelines with regards to the participation of these freshly registered players. By doing so, one can be assured that these players are not just making the numbers but will actually get a chance to participate.
There is no cap on individual sports federations and players from all age groups can participate and be included in the teams. So is the case with disabled sports federations and expat-driven sports like rugby, hockey and ice-hockey.
“We already have a system that has been approved by the board. It’s been divided into four categories — football, basketball, volleyball in one; rugby, hockey and ice hockey in second group, individual sports in third and UAE Disabled Sports Federation (People with Determination) in fourth.
“As of now, football is totally open for all registration except youth and first team, which the federation will approve. This is just for registration. In three years’ time, each federation will approve one or two players. Some of those federations may request to approve all and we might approve them all to participate. The final authorisation will come as per the government guidelines,” said Ebrahim Abdul Malek, General Secretary of UAE General Authority for Sports.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of ADSC and member of the UAE General Authority for Sports, said: “The initiative came from all leadership and we feel proud that finally in sports we will be fulfilling the ambition of allowing everyone in the same way as we do in other aspects such as economy, policies.
“We thank the team who has worked to get this resolution going before the 2019 season gets under way.”