The Abu Dhabi Sports Council preparative football tournament has drawn 28 teams in six age categories

Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s preparative football tournament got underway at the Baniyas Stadium in Al Shamkha on Sunday with 28 teams from the five capital’s clubs featuring across six age groups.
The competition for the U11, U12, U13, U14, U16 and U18 consists Al Ain, Baniyas, Al Dhafra, Al Jazira and Al Wahda, is part of the sports council’s plan to develop football academies in clubs in Abu Dhabi.
The objective of the competition is to provide young players an early introduction and experience to competitions, and for the coaches to identify individual talents and the right combinations for the season ahead. The tournament concludes on September 25.
Talal Al Hashemi, Executive Director of Sports Development Sector at Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are keen to present a variety of programs, tournaments and initiatives aimed at improving the age group system of the football academies in Abu Dhabi clubs.
“We believe in improving on the importance of this vital sector that can unearth outstanding young talents ton eventually move from the age groups to the first teams of the Abu Dhabi clubs.
“This tournament for the age groups provides opportunities for club coaches and administrative staff to identify potential talents ahead of the new season with the number of matches provided.”