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Western Asia Women’s Football Championship a Big Step up for UAE Team: Salby

ABU DHABI — They were brimming with energy and enthusiasm. It was like a baby eager to take its first steps into the new world. The women of the UAE are no more home makers. They have entered the big world and stood up for themselves, some very successfully at that.

And the UAE’s women’s football team will take their first and significant step when the take part in the 3rd Western Asia Women’s Football Championship to be held in Abu Dhabi from February 20 to 28.

The Championship will be held at the Military Stadium in Abu Dhabi and is being held under the patronage of the Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), Hafsa Al Oulama, Chairwoman of the UAE Women’s Football Committee announced at the UAE Football Association (UAE FA) office at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Talal Al Hashemi, Deputy Chairman of the UAE Women’s Football Committee and Amal Bu Shlakh, Director of the Championship and member of the organising committee were present.

Six National teams from the Western Asia region are taking part in the championship. Defending champions Jordan have confirmed their participation and so have Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Palestine and the hosts UAE.

The teams have been divided into two groups and UAE are placed in Group B along with Kuwait and Palestine. Defending champions Jordan, Iran and Bahrain are in Group A.

UAE take on Palestine in their opening game on the first day, while earlier in the day, Jordan lock horns with Bahrain.

Jordan won the inaugural championship in 2005 at home and retained the title again in 2007 in Jordan.

Four of the participating teams will arrive in Abu Dhabi next week followed by Palestine. They will hold a training camp in Abu Dhabi.

UAE coach Kone Salby said that the championship was a big step up for her girls, who would be taking part in an international tournament for the first time. “For our girls, it is our first international tournament. It is a big step up for these girls. For these girls, it is their first big 11-a-side event. Such a championship is important for the sport to grow, for the parents and children to get know and get involved,” said the Australian Salby, who has been with the team for two years.

“We have played a few 11-a-side games. We have played against boys teams from Dubai. So, that has helped. It was a good opportunity for our players to play with the boys and it will help during this championship,” she added.

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