Business & Money | Saturday 22 February, 2020 1:18 am |

 Abu Dhabi Ports has announced the draw for the fifth edition of its annual “Strategic Partners Football Tournament” commencing tomorrow, 23 February.

The tournament is one of many initiatives promoted by the National Programme for Happiness and Well-being. 

Abu Dhabi Ports and its proud partners Etihad Rail, Etihad Airways and Ali & Sons are excited about this year’s unprecedented participation of 27 competing teams, and increased official sponsors’ list that include Foodco Holding and Abu Dhabi Terminals as golden sponsors, along with Agility, ADGAS, Corniche Gate Medical Centre, Royal Flower and ADVOC as silver sponsors  

UAE national football team star Sultan Al Ghafri, Abu Dhabi National Sports Council representative and Ajman Club goalkeeper, Ali Al-Hosani and participating teams’ representatives attended the draw announcement at Abu Dhabi Ports headquarters. 

The first five-team group comprises Abu Dhabi Ports (A), National Marine Dredging Company, Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Digital Authority, and Etihad Rail.

The second group comprises General Administration of Civil Defence Abu Dhabi, TADWEER, Dar Zayed for Family Care (DZFC), Emirates Steel and MICCO Logistics. 

The third group includes: Passport Control Centre, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Ali & Sons, Abu Dhabi Ports (B), and Abu Dhabi Distribution Company; whilst the fourth group includes: Foodco, Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, Emirates Global Aluminum, General Directorate of Customs – Abu Dhabi, Bin Hamoodah Auto, ADNOC Logistics and Services, and Federal Authority for Land and Maritime Transport. 

The fifth group is made up of ADVOC, Musanada, Department of Culture and Tourism, SEHA, Gallega Global Logistics Services, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation.

The tournament’s rules and regulations were shared with the attendees. These rules are in line with the International Federation for five-a-side football that govern all matches except for what is highlighted in the list prepared by Abu Dhabi Ports in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Hamad Al Shabibi, Head of Organising Committee, praised the impressive growth of the tournament: 

“Abu Dhabi Ports’ participation in this year’s event reflects public and private sector determination to ensure sporting events such as these are a great success. Our five-a-side football tournament brings great benefits to the wellbeing of our employees and acts as ideal platform for us to positively engage with our partners and customers in a spirit of fun and healthy competition.

“Thanks to the support of our stakeholders and the generous prizes on offer from our sponsors, this year’s edition promises to the best yet. We are grateful for their efforts and we wish all the teams the best of luck in this exciting football challenge.”

The three-week-long tournament will commence tomorrow at Zayed Port’s football field with five 20-minute long matches scheduled each day. The first-round phase of the challenge will see 11 teams split across five groups playing each a round-robin format with the winners progressing to a knock-out phase. And in a first for the Strategic Partners Football Tournament, a live commenter will be pitch-side for every game.

As part of the opening day’s festivities and out of a deep-rooted corporate commitment to support sporting talent, a special one-off five-a-side exhibition match will kick off between the Zayed for Orphans and selected stars from the UAE national team. Last year, Abu Dhabi Ports sponsored the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

At the end of the tournament, impressive prizes including Etihad airline tickets and a brand-new car courtesy of Ali & Sons Abu Dhabi will be awarded to the winning sides.