Dubai: Aref Khademi and Aleksandar Grujicic from the UAE were adjudged the adidas ‘fastest footballers in the region’ at the end of the grand finale at the adidas football zone of Dubai Sports World on Friday.
Khademi topped all competition from the X Group, while the experienced Grujicic was too good, walking away with the crown from the Ace group following an afternoon filled with football tests and drills at DSW housed at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Watched by special guests Fabio Lima and Mirko Vucinic, ćalong with world champion freestyler Sean Garnier, the participants were put through an intense round of final competition to decide the region’s fastest and most skilful player.
Dubbed the ‘First Never Follows’ contest, the grand final was part of the sportswear manufacturer’s search for the fastest football player from the 30 chosen from three countries, two each from Saudi Arabia and Morocco and the remaining 26 from the UAE.
After a monthlong qualifying campaign, two lucky winners walked away with glory — along with a well-deserved one-year partnership with adidas as part of the prize.
The series of trials and tests saw some of the quickest and most agile amateur footballers from the three countries battle it out for the title. The select band of 30 players was divided into two groups — the Aces and the Xs, with each of the footballers first undertaking tests in accuracy and power in a caged area.
The players then proceeded to the pitch for a five-a-side tournament with all receiving points for various on-pitch feats.
“Such activities are very important in the formation of young footballers. I am glad that so many young players are getting an opportunity to showcase their skills and passion,” Al Jazira striker Vucinic told media.
“Adidas has a good range of products for players of all levels, something that previous generation of players did not have. I am sure these young players will be all the more wise after this experience,” he added.
