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Dubai: Going by the initial encouraging response, Aussie Rules football is here to stay, according to a high ranking official from the Australian Football League (AFL).
"We have been encouraged by the huge response we have received from all for this game. This will certainly not be the last time we are organising such an event in the UAE," Gillon McLachlan, AFL's Chief Broadcasting and Commercial Officer told Gulf News.
For the very first time, the AFL has chosen the UAE to host the season-opening NAB Cup clash between Collingwood and Adelaide at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club today.
This unique sporting spectacle has attracted tremendous interest both locally and abroad, and will see high profile dignitaries such as the Premier of Victoria, the Governor of South Africa and several other Australian ministers who have already flown in for the event.
"This historic match presents a unique opportunity for us to showcase our game to a global audience and the level of excitement the game has generated has been beyond all our expectations," stated McLachlan.
"We are really pleased with the way things have worked out for this match. The public support has been tremendous, the clubs have come out here with their best players and there's even a contingent of supporters who have travelled all the way from Australia," McLachlan said.
'Bit of an issue'
Initially, the AFL did have a bit of an issue while trying to sort out an ideal venue for the match. "It was difficult at first, but now things have worked out just fine for us," McLachlan stated.
The AFL has been so encouraged by the response to this match that they are willing to give it another chance sometime later. "No, this won't be the last time for an exercise like this in a place like Dubai. It's been so wonderful for all involved and for the game itself," McLachlan promised.
"I am in the business of sports and the AFL is an industry and so we need to maintain our identity and at the same time continue our leadership position of sharing our wonderful sport with the rest of the world," McLachlan said.
Meanwhile, both teams conducted a training session yesterday morning at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club.
Players not involved in the game will train today before running an Auskick session for junior players.
The NAB Cup match will be preceded by a game between the Dubai Dingoes and Dubai Heat and the NAB Cup encounter will start at 1.45pm.
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