Rashid team meet Lebanon

DUBAI - Iranian stars Ali Karimi and Farhad Majidi will join the masters of the game from Latin America and Africa as Shaikh Rashid team line-up in the colours of Cellucom to take on Lebanon national team in the opener of the prestigious Ramadan International Football Championship at Dubai Police Officers Club today. Kick off 9.30pm.

The first clash will kick off after a brief opening ceremony set to start half an hour earlier.

The 16-day event will be graced by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence.

Shaikh Rashid and his brothers Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will also display their skills with the team in their first test of the competition.

“We knew that our team will face a very strong opposition from the top African sides featuring in the championship, but we are still hot favourites to defend our title,” Shaikh Rashid told newsmen at the Officers Club on Saturday night following a light work-out for the squad.

“Zambian senior team are hopeful to qualify for Germany 2006 which means that they are not going to be easy opponents. Former African Cup winners Al Mareekh from Sudan will also receive very strong support from the Sudanese community living in the UAE. We know they are all football crazy fans and will cheer their players enthusiastically,” he said.

Arun Nagar, managing director of Cellucom said: “Football remains the most popular sport in the UAE and is one of the main attractions among local youth.

“Cellucom has decided to utilise the event as a platform for increasing its brand value among the society and we are proud to be part of this sporting event that provides an exciting opportunity for the youth to compete with professional players,” he said.

Meanwhile, Al Mareekh have arrived early morning yesterday at Dubai International Airport and received a warm welcome from the officials and their fans as well.

According to the Egyptian coach Mahmoud Saad, the players are in their best form and will not be affected by the fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

League leaders
“I think this will add spiritual push to our efforts,” he said with a smile.

“Al Mareekh have won their last league outing and we are now leading the pack with comfortable margin,” he added. Both Lebanese and Yemen national teams along with the Iraq’s Shortta have already arrived in Dubai on Friday and started their preparations for the tough test.

“We are also pleased to welcome our brothers from Iraq after their splendid performance during the recent Athens Olympic Games,” Shaikh Rashid commented. “The Iraqis have finished fourth in the football competition and this is a very good achievement for the Arab football at the international level,” he said.

“As a gesture of support for the Iraqi people, Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum will sponsor Shortta during the tournament,” he confirmed.