Merger of three clubs into one entity in UAE

Top Stories

UAE Football Association (UAE FA) president Marwan bin Ghalita welcomed the order, saying the decision was in the best interests of the UAE football.
UAE Football Association (UAE FA) president Marwan bin Ghalita welcomed the order, saying the decision was in the best interests of the UAE football.

Dubai - Sheikh Mohammed orders merger of Al Shabab, Dubai Sports and Al Ahli clubs

By James Jose

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Tue 16 May 2017, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Tue 16 May 2017, 11:50 PM

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has ordered the merger of Al Shabab Al Arabi Club, Dubai Sports and Cultural Club, and Al Ahli Sporting Club into a single entity called Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club.
According to a tweet from the Dubai Media Office, Sheikh Mohammed said: "Our objective is to build a club that can compete regionally and globally."
UAE Football Association (UAE FA) president Marwan bin Ghalita welcomed the order, saying the decision was in the best interests of the UAE football.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has been named Chairman of the new club, which will be headquartered at the Dubai Cultural Sports Club, just off Al Awir Road.
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, has been named the First Vice-Chairman; while Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, will be the Second Vice-Chairman.
All assets and properties of the three clubs will be transferred to the new club and the merger process will be overseen by a higher committee, chaired by Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director-General of the Department of Protocol and Hospitality in Dubai. Members of the committee include Sami Al Qamzi, Director-General of the Department of Finance of the Government of Dubai; Ahmed bin Humaidan; and Abdullatif Al Sayegh. The committee reports to the chairman of the newly formed club, and is tasked with selecting its executive teams and outlining the scope of work of each team.
Sulaiman, a former chairman of Al Ahli, was also part of an interim committee set up by Sheikh Mohammed following a resolution relieving Abdullah Al Naboodah, the then chairman of Al Ahli and its board of directors, in January this year.
A new investment company to manage the assets and properties of the three clubs will be overseen by Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim.
Marwan bin Ghalita welcomed the order, calling it a "wise decision".
"The UAE FA welcomes the wise decision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. The decision is in the best interests of football in the country," Ghalita said in a statement posted on UAE FA on Tuesday.
"We wish every success for Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club under the chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed," Marwan added.
The UAE FA, which governs football in the country, is set to hold an emergency meeting with its board of directors to discuss the new development.
"The decisions will be discussed at the organisational meeting of the board of directors," UAE FA spokesman Hassan Al Jasmi said.
With the League consisting of 14 teams and the draw held on the sidelines of the Arabian Gulf League Awards in Abu Dhabi on Monday night, the UAE FA will now have to chalk out a new plan.
Meanwhile, Al Shabab, who were set to present their new coach at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium on Tuesday evening, cancelled the press conference.
Goran Tufegdzic, who coached relegated Itttihad Kalba, was set to replace compatriot Miroslav Dukic.
Al Ahli have won the League seven times, while Al Shabab have won it thrice, their last dating back to the 2007-08 season.
Dubai FC, established in 1996, have been in and out of the League and earned promotion to the UAE top flight next season after finishing second in the First Division.
james@khaleejtimes.com
 


More news from