UAE football’s top flight will be known as the Arabian Gulf League from next season, the division’s governing body announced on Sunday night.
Speaking at the Pro League Awards in Abu Dhabi PLC chairman Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi revealed the name change was intended to acknowledge the role played by the stretch of water, and the Emiratis who fished on it, in establishing the country.
“Why the name was chosen was because my great-great-grandfather who lived here, and not only mine, everybody’s who lived here in this country were surviving and eating, and all they had came from the sea,” Al Rumaithi told Sport360°.
The name change comes six years after the Pro League was initially launched and Al Rumaithi added: “As appreciation for that sea which has allowed so many generations to live here because of it, as appreciation we are giving the name of our league.”
Meanwhile, Al Ain and UAE playmaker Omar Abdulrahman netted an awards double on the night as he scampered off with the Fans' Player of the Year and the Emirati Player of the Year accolades.
Al Ahli striker Grafite beat off competition from Al Ain counterpart Asamoah Gyan to the International Player of the Year despite the latter becoming the first player in history to net more than 30 goals in a single season.
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