A 'celebration of champions' in Abu Dhabi

A ‘Celebration of Champions' was promised and Al Jazira Club delivered in style, with a celebration concert on Sunday night in the capital. Having picked up its first ever Etisalat Pro League title and President's Cup, the Abu Dhabi football stars finished off a successful season with one final blow out, with pyrotechnics, booming glitter cannons, laser show, a balloon-filled stadium, skills on the pitch and a stellar line up of local and international musicians, organisers couldn't have fit more into five hours if they had tried. Billed as the "biggest event in the history of the Etisalat Pro League," the celebration kicked off with an exhibition match between Dubai and the home side as thousands flooded into the Mohammad bin Zayed Stadium on the outskirts of the city. Fans, the majority Emirati, danced and chanted as they celebrated Al Jazira's 4-1 win over Dubai. Local singing sensation Hussain Al Jassmi was in fine form ahead of his performance as he passed out pizza from his dressing room to event staff. "Everyone should eat," he said as he returned to his suite for more dishes. "I am honoured to perform at this event," the Emirati singer told Gulf News. "When I was asked I didn't even hesitate. This is a celebration of Al Jazira but also the UAE and I am proud to support that." Lebanese megastar Haifa Wehbe also performed before American super producer and entertainer Timbaland took to the stage. In an exclusive interview with tabloid!, Timbaland expressed his joy to be back in the Middle East after a trip last November. "It is such a warm place," he said from his stadium dressing room. "Abu Dhabi is so rich - in more ways than one. I just love coming here." Prizes were given away left, right and centre and one lucky fan even walked away with a Ferrari Italia 458 valued at Dh1 million - the biggest ever giveaway in the history of football in the UAE. With its "Pride of Abu Dhabi" motto firmly in place, Al Jazira boasted an average of 15,000 spectators attending its games. The record crowd of 28,000 which turned out for a match against Al Wasl earlier this year was especially celebrated on the night and will no doubt remain the talking point of the 2010/11 season.