Dubai: Brazilian legend Zico is hoping to help build bridges between India and the UAE through the medium of football.
Zico, who is in his second season with Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa, was a surprise guest at the annual Nad Al Sheba (NAS) Ramadan Sports Tournament.
Speaking to Gulf News before he flew back to Goa to help the francise owners plan for the new ISL season starting in the first week of October, Zico said: “Having a sports tournament during this holy month of fasting is a fantastic opportunity for the youth of this country.”
I have heard so much of this event back home in Brazil. And now that I am here I can see that all that I’ve heard is absolutely true.
“This is a fantastic initiative and it will go a long way in developing sports in Dubai and the UAE,” he added.
Zico, who known for his ability as a shrewd tactician, is trying to develop help Goan and Indian youth through an exchange programme.
“The world is a small place today. We are ever so close to each other, and football is one sport that unifies peoples,” he said. “I would seriously think about bringing in the best squad of players from Goa or India to Dubai and pitting them against each other. That can only help as a learning process for all concerned.
“It’s going to be the start of the season for you here and we will get busy with our preparations for the ISL. So I would think of a time-frame somewhere in January next year to go ahead with this initiative,” the 62-year-old added.
“It is our joint responsibility to nurture talent. We owe it to the sport and we owe it to each other. We need to give and share freely and I think this is an initiative that can help bind nations.”
