UAE National Futsal Team arrives in Ashgabat

The UAE National Futsal Team has arrived in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, to take part in the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games from 17th-27th September. The UAE is participating in 7 games in the event, which is hosting 5,000 athletes hailing from 63 countries.

As many as 86 athletes will be representing the UAE in the seven events of jujitsu, athletics, cycling, chess, bowling, billiards and snooker.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee, said, "The goal is to raise the UAE’s flag and represent the nation honorably. We need not tell our athletes to do their level best so as to maintain the prestigious standing and good reputation of the UAE as a model for excellence world-wide."

"Determination is an inherent characteristic of Emiratis, thanks to the principles, values ??and foundations that have instilled in them, which enabled them to overcome all challenges. This reflects their full awareness of their responsibility towards their homeland to achieve excellence," he noted.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed praised the unlimited support of the leadership, saying, "Our leadership stands behind these successive achievements that rendered the UAE name well-known in the sports arena thanks to the unlimited support of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Their Highnesses the Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, and the Crown Princes. This poses a constant self-challenge to translate this support into concrete successes."

He concluded, "We at the National Olympic Committee stand side by side with our athletes who are greatly privileged in competing to raise the UAE’s flag high in international sports venues."

The UAE Futsal Team kicks off its quest against the Maldives in Group II next Saturday, which includes Uzbekistan, China, and Afghanistan. The preliminary round includes 18 teams divided into 4 groups. The group leaders and runners-ups will qualify to make the quarterfinals.

Saeed Al-Ajal, member of the Futsal Executive Committee and the national teams supervisor, said, "The participation of the UAE’s National Futsal Team in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games is part of the long-term preparatory programme for the Asian Cup qualifiers, which will be hosted by Thailand in November."