Asian Cup organisers build up a ‘home team’

Abu Dhabi: A group of talented university students from across the UAE were selected for the starting line-up for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 Local Organising Committee’s ‘home team’.

After a long selection process, the successful students attended the briefings and orientation at the AFC Asian Cup office before embarking on their three-month internship programme. After being shuttled only a short distance away, they found themselves on the pitch of the famous stadium, where they were joined by Dubai Eye’s leading host of Sport Tonight, Chris McHardy.

McHardy led the students through to the stadium changing rooms, where ‘home team’ kits had been prepared, before giving them a talk about each player’s responsibilities in “Bringing Asia Together” over the coming months.

For these youngsters, it was an unconventional start to a programme which will see them play an important role in raising awareness for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 to the different communities. With wide-ranging and comprehensive responsibilities, the team will contribute to the pre-tournament build up by promoting the tournament to businesses, schools and communities.

Speaking on the scope and diversity of the newly formed ‘Home Team’, Aref Hamed Al Awani, Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee said: “Because of the immense scale involved in hosting an event like the AFC Asian Cup, we need a diverse group of dedicated, energetic youth on the ground, who can bring the spirit of the tournament directly into the heart of all communities across the UAE. We have the potential in the UAE for this competition to feel like a home tournament for every nation if we can get communities to rally behind their teams and our AFC Home Team will seek to do just that, by meeting face-to-face and sharing their passion for football.”

Home Team member Mariam Taha, who comes from Al Ain, said: “It’s amazing. For the first day of my internship, I was not expecting to find myself on the pitch of Zayed Sports City. With Chris acting as manager and outlining everyone’s roles, I think we all became really excited about the road ahead. He told me Abu Dhabi is my pitch and that it was up to me to unite the communities in the capital behind this great tournament. I’ve got lots to do and I can’t wait to get started. I’m proud and excited.”