Dubai: Starting on Friday, the President’s Cup will be displayed around the country during a tour that bids to inspire a more sustainable build-up for the final in Abu Dhabi on May 18.
Al Ahli will be targeting their fourth trophy of the season as they take on traditional rivals Al Ain in the final at the Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi on May 18.
Al Ahli have been in amazing form having already won three of the four trophies on the domestic front so far. Their latest triumph was in last week’s Arabian Gulf Cup against Al Jazira, where they fought from a goal down to win 2-1.
Prior to that, the Red Knights had clinched the Arabian Gulf League with three rounds of the competition remaining and won the season-opening Super Cup with a victory over Al Ain in September.
With the President’s Cup officially bringing down the curtains on the season this year, the UAE Football Association (UAE FA) decided to extend the excitement to a bigger audience. Starting from the City Centre Mall in Fujairah on April 25, the President’s Cup trophy will make stops in Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Dubai, Al Ain and finally in Abu Dhabi until May 17, before the finals are played at the Zayed Sports City on May 18.
There will be allied activities at each of the 11 stops where the trophy will be displayed. These will include interactive stands, video highlights of past competitions, face painting and video games.
“We decided to do something new, different and fresh to spread the appeal of the President’s Cup to other communities living in the UAE. Fans can just turn up at the venue and take pictures and videos of the trophy while also getting involved in other competitions that will be held on the sidelines,” Yousuf Al Sarkal, Chairman, Board of Directors, UAE FA told media in Dubai on Wednesday.
“The match experience of such a huge event will be spread over a day but, by organising a tour of the trophy, we want to spread out the excitement to an even bigger audience,” he said.
