The gift is in appreciation of their historic achievement and the honour they brought the country. The amount does not include the special bonuses announced earlier following a streak of wins the team registered against Kuwait and Saudi Arabia before crowning it with a win against Oman at the magnificent Zayed Sports City stadium.

The President also directed that special bonuses be paid to members of the technical and administrative bench of the national team, as well as to members of the UAE Football Association and the organising committee of the 18^th Gulf Cup championship.

Commitment

The gesture reflects the President’s commitment to provide continuous support to sports, sportsmen and women.

Earlier in the day a joyful Shaikh Khalifa received the UAE team and had words of praise for them.

Also present during the meeting were Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Shaikh Khalifa praised the spirit of fair play and diligence shown by the UAE team during the tournament. The win was a deserved reward, he said. The President also praised the management team, the UAE Football Association, and the fans for their unfailing support throughout the tournament.

He assured the team of his continued support, adding that good results can only be achieved through hard work, dedication and patriotism.

“I would like to see more achievements in the upcoming tournaments,” Shaikh Khalifa told the team. He advised the team to take the victory as a prelude for winning more tournaments. — Wam

Mohammed to receive team

DUBAI — His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is all set to receive and welcome the triumphant footballers at his palace in Zabeel tomorrow. According to Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman, Director-General of the Department of Protocol, the reception for the team will be around 2pm. After the reception the footballers will be taken around the city in a motorcade starting at the World Trade Centre and passing through some principal streets of Dubai before ending up at the Global Village where a huge celebration is being planned.