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Abu Dhabi: Having gained the rights to stage the Formula One racing for seven years and the Fifa Club World Cup for two years the Government of Abu Dhabi has now stepped in to regularise sport in the emirate through a five-year strategic plan.
The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) announced a five-year plan (2008 -2012) and some of the priorities listed out to achieve its goals are certain to change the way sports clubs and institutions function in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
With Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as President, the ADSC has moved fast to ensure the five Abu Dhabi clubs that have been short-listed to join the UAE Pro League will stay the distance, one of its main priorities.
Addressing a press conference here at the Emirates Palace yesterday, Mohammad Ebrahim Al Mahmoud, ADSC General Secretary said the five clubs (Al Wahda, Al Ain, Al Jazira, Al Dhafra and Baniyas) have already qualified to join the UAE Pro League.
Talent
"The role of ADSC is to ensure that the clubs attain a professional level with the focus on administration and financial systems. Since the government will be funding them they are bound to adopt and move towards a professionally managed system and if at the end of the day they don't do so then either their managements will have to go or the funding will stop," said Al Mahmoud.
The move will certainly help the smaller clubs like Al Dhafra and Baniyas face the new challenges that come with playing in a pro league.
"The ADSC is the government umbrella covering all clubs.
"Hence the focus on professional management which is the cornerstone of making use of finance in maximising development of sport," he added.
Two other priorities listed out in the ADSC's five-year plan will have far-reaching effects on sport in the UAE.
The first is to develop sport at the school-level and this has been one area that has been lacking in the past.
"Schools are inexhaustible sources of talent and hence our aim is to follow-up sport in schools and develop sports curricula in co-operation with the educational institutions," said Al Mahoud.
Another major thrust of the ADSC plan is to take sport to the interiors and remote areas of the emirate.
The plan is to establish eight community clubs by the end of 2009 in remote areas.
"While establishing these eight community clubs in the districts our focus is to ensure 5 per cent of the adults in those areas become members of the clubs. "We expect this percentage top increase to 52 by 2012.
"Similarly we hope to target 10 per cent of the youth in the districts to be part of the clubs activities by 2009 and the target is 50 per cent by 2012," Al Mahmoud explained.
ADSC also plans top help various clubs and institutions in providing sponsorships and also bringing together the clubs and the private sector which will ensure much-needed funds can be availed of.
Women have also been marked out to both participate in sports activities and also take part in administrative and management roles in organising various sports. With the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and the Red Bull Air Race have already taken Abu Dhabi to the world, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority have also carried 'Brand Abu Dhabi' through the World Rally Championship and the UIM Formula One powerboat races.
With this latest initiative through the ADSC, the Government of Abu Dhabi is all set to create a few more vehicles to promote both the emirate and the UAE as a major sporting destination.
While football was always the sole recipient of huge funding from the government and private sector, ADSC's role now will ensure many other sports also gain government support.
However, the clubs and institutions will have to be aware that this support is not for ever and within a few years of adopting a professional approach they can survive on their own through effective marketing and financial management.
AT A GLANCE
Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC)
- President: Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- Secretary General: Mohammad Ebrahim Al Mahmoud
- Main Role: Support, Supervise and regularise sport in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
ADSC's five-year Strategic Plan (2008-2012)
Priorities adopted:
- Support & supervise clubs & institutions.
- Host international championships.
- Full support for five Abu Dhabi football clubs.
- Develop sport at school level.
- Help organise evens & conferences.
- Establish and manage community clubs.
- Spread sports culture through media.
- Raise health awareness in society.
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