Club World Cup: We Want To Show The World We Can Host Huge Events - UAE FA President

On the day that the Club World Cup kicks off in Abu Dhabi, the President of the country's FA, His Excellency Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumathi has been speaking exclusively to Goal.com's Ashish Sharma

Dec 9, 2009 9:34:39 AM

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It's the first time the FIFA Club World Cup  has been taken outside of its home in Japan. When bids poured in from suitable candidates, the UAE quickly jumped to the head of the queue formed by their rivals.Chuck Blazer, the chairman of the tournament's Organising Committee, and a FIFA Executive member, has spoken of the UAE as being the host that will set a "benchmark" in how this event can be organised. Whilst it's an imposing expectation, its not one that troubles Mohammed Khalfan Al Rumathi.

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The President of the UAE FA is a quietly spoken man, but in many ways this only emphasises his immense confidence. He doesn't feel the need to say very much, relying on his country to show by way of example just how ready it is for hosting one of the most presitigius events on the FIFA calender. "It's very important for us to show the world that the UAE can host, organise, and can deliver a good tournament of this magnitude."

Whilst the competition can highlight the country's organisational skills, it can also show the passion for football that exists amongst its fans. But the main aim is to use the event for the development of the sport within the UAE.

"It will help our players to see in real life how professional clubs play and how professional players behave. From a refereeing point of view, our referees will also learn because we will have an elite number of referees in charge of the games."

Al Rumathi is clear in what he hopes will be achieved after the UAE has had its two-year stint as host of the tournament

"We want to build more stadia, elevate the level of football in the country and also to take good care of the grassroots. We are doing that already and have proved ourselves. We are one of the few countries in Asia which can be compared with the giants of the continent, like Japan and South Korea, when it comes to the grassroots."

The UAE is investing heavily on youth football and Al Rumathi is very happy with the results so far.

"Our youth team plans for the national sides are all set till 2015. Each team has its own staff and we are preparing them four years before they enter any competition. That's why we were in Egypt [for the FIFA Under 20 World Cup], that's why we were in Nigeria [for the Under 17 version] and that's why our two teams are in the finals next year for the Under 16s and the Under 19s."

All of which promises a bright future. But what of today? Al Ahli, the UAE's representatives in the tournament, kick off the competition later today against New Zealand's Auckland City. Does the President of the FA feel they can reach the final?

"Unfortunately they have a big problem because most of their main stars are injured. But I'm betting on their fighting spirit because they will have great support from the spectators. We have speed and we have talent and while we are lacking in physical ability, I feel we can overcome that. As for the final, who knows?"  He laughs. "We might end up in the semi-final and then you never know."

The fans will no doubt be right behind their side at kick off in the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium later on this evening. But Al Ahli are not the only team occupying their minds, as one supporter I encountered outside the Bin Zayed Stadium explained: "I just can't wait for Barcelona to arrive. I feel like a kid waiting for the ice cream man to come round."


Ashish Sharma, Goal.com
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