Dubai to host world beach soccer
08/06/2007 |
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The Dubai Sports Council Wednesday signed an agreement with Fifa to host the 2009 beach soccer World Cup in Dubai.
The signing was held during the closing ceremony of the second Dubai International Sports Conference at the Dubai Convention Centre.
Mattar Al Tayer, Deputy Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, and Juan Markuo, the managing director of the Fifa beach soccer, signed the agreement.
In addition to hosting the World Cup in February 2009, Dubai will also host the Asian beach soccer finals in 2007 and 2008 which are the qualifiers for the World Cup finals.
Speaking at the Dubai International Sports Conference Brazilian legend Zico said that the football played in the seventies and eighties was more entertaining than today's game.
"Before the player was coming to the club to make people happy with his dazzling performance. But now before he wears the shirt he asks 'how much I will get.' Football has become too much of a business," he said.
Zico said that professionalism will help UAE soccer to develop.
"The player's life will be only for football and this will help him to show an better standard and excellent form with his club and national team," he said.
Quest for more
John Barnes the former Liverpool player and ex-Celtic manager said in his lecture that players must not to be satisfied with their first success.
"It's nice to achieve success, but you don't have to stop there. Make it a motivation for greater success. Also all the team must play as a unit and not individuals," he advised.
"Brazil had world's best players like Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Adriano, Robinho and Kaka, but they could not win the World Cup."
Kuwait's Jasim Yaqoub GCC player of the century commented: "Professionalism makes player play longer because he will take care of himself.
"The player must benefit from his revenues and invest it in projects which bring income for him to secure his future," said Yaqoub.
Dr Mussa Abbas the UAE national olympic committee manager criticised players and club officials who did not attend the DISC.
"This is very important for the future of UAE soccer. I do not know why they did not attend," Dr Mussa said.
Showtime to telecast Premier League
Adnan Hamad, of the ART sport channels, said they lost the English premier league to Showtime starting from the coming season.
"What is happening in the European leagues market for sport channels is ridiculous. We paid $40 million three years ago for the premier league, what has been paid by Showtime was thrice as much we paid."
Mark Antoine of Showtime said they are happy to present to their viewers the premier league next season.
(Source: Qatarolympics.org)
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