Dubai: The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) has teamed up with Mondial Company to organise a non-stop football match over 36 hours to commemorate the UAE’s 43rd National Day celebrations next week.
The marathon football match has been titled ‘Spirit of the Union football match’ and is deemed to walk into the world record books for being the longest football match in the history of football.
The match will take place at the Dubai Police Officers Club with a kick-off at 9am on November 28 [Friday], going on until 9pm the following day.
This unique venture will bring together 1,620 players from across the UAE, including former national team stars, junior players from clubs, players representing various nationalities living in the country along with a representative side of juniors from Saudi Arabia’s Al Etifaq Club led by its president, Abdul Aziz Al Dossary.
The unique event was announced by Gazi Al Madani, Manager, Sports and Tourism, Dubai Sports Council (DSC), in the presence of Ganem Bin Lahej, CEO, Mondial Company.
“Dubai has come up with yet another first here with this unique football match. Dubai is the sporting capital not just of the Middle East but of the entire world and this football match lasting 36 hours non-stop will definitely put the limelight on Dubai as we get ready to celebrate yet another National Day,” Al Madani observed at the announcement.
“Since the past few days we have been visiting schools, colleges, universities, private and government departments and offices to ensure we have maximum representation in this match. The signs have been very good so far and we can be pleased to put Dubai in the limelight through such an innovative way,” he added.
Everyone involved with the match has been working in close coordination to make it a success. A record number of referees, coaches and technical officials will be camping at the site from November 27 to ensure the smooth process for registration and other pre-match formalities.
“One of the most significant aspects for a match like this would be close and near-perfect coordination between all concerned parties, with even a minor point like substitution of players playing a key role,” observed Bin Lahej.
“The match schedule has already been fixed and we are now in the process of putting everything together in time for the kick-off at 9am on Friday,” he added.
