Gulf and Arab Football Legends Gather at Ajman’s Gulf Academies Football Festival Council

As part of the accompanying events of the ninth edition of the Gulf Academies Football Festival, the Emirate of Ajman hosted a distinguished group of Gulf and Arab football legends at the “Gulf Council” — attended by official, sporting, and media figures — within the cultural and knowledge programme accompanying the Festival, which aims to promote the exchange of expertise and draw on the experiences of the game’s stars.

The Council featured the participation of a constellation of prominent football stars, led by the legendary Bahraini goalkeeper and doyen of Gulf goalkeepers, Captain Hamoud Sultan, alongside Kuwaiti football star Captain Badr Haji, former Iraqi international goalkeeper Nour Sabri, and UAE football star Captain Mohsen Mosbeh.

The Council addressed a number of themes relating to the future of football in the region, the role of academies in talent discovery and player development, and the importance of investing in youth age groups as the fundamental pillar of the game’s advancement. The guests also reviewed the highlights of their sporting careers and shared the essence of their experiences and expertise with those in attendance, in a session that generated considerable interaction from participants and the audience alike.

Ahmed Al Raeesi, Chairman of the Festival’s Supreme Organising Committee, affirmed that the Festival’s arrival at its ninth edition reflects the scale of success achieved over the past years, noting that this success has come thanks to the considerable support extended to the Festival by Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media, in addition to the continuous efforts of the Organising Committee and all working teams and partners in ensuring the event’s success year after year.

Al Raeesi added: “We take pride in the regional standing the Festival has attained, and with each edition we strive to deliver distinctive programmes that combine sporting competition with cultural and educational dimensions — contributing to the preparation of a new generation of players in accordance with best international practices.”

For his part, Captain Hamoud Sultan affirmed that festivals of this nature represent an ideal environment for honing children’s talents, stating: “Talent requires the right environment to be discovered and nurtured. These festivals give children the opportunity to engage, learn, and build self-confidence — and that is an important step in building the future of Gulf football.”

Captain Nour Sabri, meanwhile, noted that tournaments dedicated to youth age groups provide players with early experience, pointing out that participation in such competitions helps them develop their sporting character, adapt to match atmospheres, and acquire the experience they will need throughout their future careers.

Captain Badr Haji commended the development the Festival has undergone, affirming that its success over the past years qualifies it for future expansion. He said: “I hope that the scope of participation will extend to include a greater number of Gulf and Arab countries, as gatherings of this kind contribute to raising the technical level and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and fair competition amongst the peoples of the region.”

Captain Mohsen Mosbeh expressed his appreciation for the Emirate of Ajman and the Organising Committee, affirming that hosting this constellation of stars reflects the standing the Emirate has attained in organising sporting events. He said: “I thank those responsible for the Festival for this outstanding organisation, and I salute the Emirate of Ajman for embracing these purposeful sporting initiatives that serve future generations and support the development of Gulf football.”

In the same context, Adel Al Hashimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lavish Perfumes Group — the Festival’s gold sponsor — affirmed that the private sector’s contribution to supporting sporting and community initiatives forms part of the social responsibility of national institutions, noting that investing in youth and sport is an investment in the future of society.

He added: “We take pride in our partnership with this distinguished event, and we believe that supporting initiatives of this kind contributes to talent discovery, the consolidation of positive values amongst the younger generation, and the enhancement of cooperation amongst the various institutions of society.”

The Gulf Academies Football Festival continues its events through the ninth of July, through a comprehensive programme combining sporting competitions with accompanying events — including dialogue sessions and specialised courses for coaches and administrators, alongside e-sports tournaments and football skills challenges — thereby promoting the exchange of expertise amongst Gulf academies and affirming the Emirate of Ajman’s standing as a leading destination for hosting regional sporting events.