Sports | Sunday 21 August, 2016 9:42 am |

Following a 17-day intensive training camp in Spain led by LaLiga coaches and attended by LaLiga scouts, du Football Champions (duFC) player Ahmad El Yamani was selected from among 34 of his duFC Elite Team mates, to join the LaLiga Youth Champions, Malaga C.F. team for a two-week trial, which will determine his potential to be signed by the Club. 

 

El Yamani’s fitness, stamina and superior techniques during the training camp and friendly matches against Laliga youth clubs caught the attention of scouts on the ground who decided to offer him an opportunity to prove himself for a pro-football career.  

 

Al Yamani and the other duFC Elite Team players were selected from 7,117 potential duFC footballers nationwide to represent the finest of the UAE’s rising football stars and face off LaLiga youth clubs, featuring some of the best international youth players.

 

The duFC scouting platform, which kicked off in October 2015 with the UAE Schools and Streets Cups competition, was formed with the single goal of creating a pipeline of talented football players from the region and enabling them to pursue national and international football careers.  The 6-month journey saw 1215 matches played across the nation following which 70 players were chosen to attend an intensive 2-day camp training camp under the supervision of tournament director Michel Salgado, his Real Madrid colleague and football legend Roberto Carlos, and led by LaLiga coaches. The 2-day camp resulted in the selection of 20 players who received a further month of training in May following which the top 15 were selected to travel to Spain with the winning teams for a 17 day training camp.

 

On completion of the duFC training camp in Spain, Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Commercial Officer du said, “duFC player, Ahmad El Yamani’s selection for a trial with LaLiga’s best youth Club is a great boon for both our initiative and the UAE, as it highlights the incredible potential of our youth. It reflects the power of the platform to uncover talent and give them an opportunity to pursue their dreams to be a part of the world’s strongest league. We believe it sends the clear message that any ambition can be realized through determination, hard work and perseverance. We, at du, will continue to support the youth in their endeavors through duFC and other equally interesting platforms.” 

 

Hussein Murad, CEO of Inspiratus, the organizers of duFC commented on the news saying, “The goal of duFC is one step closer to being realized with today’s fantastic news. From the kick off of this initiative we had the conviction that the UAE harbored amazing football talents from across all nationalities and we are committed to discovering and nurturing these talents to enable them to pursue pro-football careers.  Ahmad El Yamani’s selection today is a clear indication of the level of talent in the UAE and this is just the start of what our platform can offer the youth in the UAE.  We are excited for the future of youth football in the UAE.” 

 

After being selected by the Malaga scouts, Ahmad El Yamani said, “My dream since I was a child was to join one of the largest leagues in the world. In coming to Spain I was determined to play my best football so that scouts would recognize my ability. Being selected for a trial with a LaLiga youth club is beyond my wildest dreams. duFC has opened the doors for me and was my stepping stone to reach this stage. The intense training camps in Dubai and Spain prepared me well for this moment and taught me the real meaning of professional football – I am very grateful for the support of I have received from everyone which has gotten me to this point.” 

 

The du Football Champions is a nationwide initiative featuring the UAE’s official schools Cup and Streets Cup and is the only international youth football scouting platform in partnership with LaLiga.  Conducted in partnership with KHDA, ADEC, Dubai Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Sharjah Sports Council, it aims to achieve sustainable human development through the discovery of promising talents, who will raise the bar on sports excellence at local and national teams as they become the next generation of professional male and female footballers.