UAE President honours UAE National Olympic Football Team

Abu Dhabi, March 27, 2012 (WAM) - President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has granted each player in the UAE National Olympic Football Team Dhs500, 000 in appreciation for their qualification to the London Olympics 2012. Sheikh Khalifa congratulated the UAE team and the technical and management staff for the qualification to the team to the football finals of the London Olympics 2012. The UAE President received the UAE Olympic Football Team here yesterday at Dhiyafa Palace in the presence of H. H. Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President's Representative and H. H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region. Sheikh Khalifa lauded the historic feat scored by the UAE National Olympic Team for the first time to qualify for the Olympics to represent the UAE in international sports gathering. He added that the appearance of the UAE sports teams in different sports occasions reflects the development and progress attained by the UAE in all fields. He urged them to represent the UAE in the London Olympics in prestigious manner that matches the UAE's standing, adding that the sports today reflects the progress. Sheikh Khalifa underlined that the UAE is keen on promoting the sports and rehabilitating youth armed with high spirits and good manners. "Good sports nurtures brain and brings up an aware generation that puts reputation of his country and people first". He pledged to support young Emiratis who represent the country in all regional and international sports occasions that could keep UAE's head high and reflect the true image of the country. For their part, the UAE Football Association and Olympic Team members expressed their gratitude to the UAE President for his unlimited support to Emiratis in all fields. They pledged to the President to exert their efforts to honour the country in the London Olympics 2012. They also expressed their pleasure of meeting the President. - Emirates News Agency, WAM