Abu Dhabi: Manchester United Soccer Schools (Muss) in Abu Dhabi has underlined its commitment to the development of local talent by accrediting 11 UAE-based football coaches through its rigorous coaching programme.
The coaches, who support the Muss team of Andy Dixon and Craig Taylor, include Emirati Ahmad Hamoud, a former Al Jazira striker, and former Ajax Amsterdam professional Khalid Hamdaoui.
Leading the UAE's first girls-only football programme is local coach Stela Samuela, a physical education teacher with Gems American Academy in Khalifa City, who is originally from Romania.
Dixon, Muss head coach in Abu Dhabi, said: "We have trained these coaches to fully understand how to deliver fantastic soccer programmes the Manchester United way and make a difference in the lives of the children who take part in our programmes.
"We attract players of all abilities, from many different backgrounds, and with different learning abilities, and we develop our coaches so that they are able to get the best out of every individual they work with."
Gavin Rhodes, head of coaching for Muss at Old Trafford, who oversees all local coach development in the UK and abroad, visited the UAE capital to formally accredit the Abu Dhabi team.
"Our commitment to work with and be part of the local community in a city like Abu Dhabi is important," he said. "Having seen the coaches in their sessions and watching the way they teach the art of football to children from all over the world underlines to me the vital role our local coaches play in delivering the very best teaching methods to our Muss children.
"Our coaching team in Abu Dhabi continues to represent Manchester United Soccer Schools in a very professional way," he said.
The coaches
Adil Bentafrit (Morocco), Ahmad Hamoud (UAE), Brett Dickerson (USA), Khalid Hamdaoui (Holland), Khalid Al Maflahi (UAE), Llion Thomas (UK), Marc Evans (UK), Paul Walker (UK), Reda Al Hammouni (Morocco), Seth Amoafo (Ghana), Stela Samuela (Romania).
