When Mandela attributed the awakening of hope to sports, Dubai Sports Council (DSC) decided to take his advice and create an initiative that aims to bring together the fan associations of the 14 clubs of Arabian Gulf League.
The DSC initiative is tied up with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for World Peace that aims to implement the message of peace and further the humanitarian pursuits of the region.
The program kicks off on March 10, 2016, getting the fan associations of all clubs to design an AGL banner during the 21st and 22nd round of the tournament.
The fans are free to unleash their creativity and artistic flair in the banners that should reflect the spirit of football as a uniting force.
The winners will be announced on April 19, 2016 who will be rewarded with prize money that is yet to be disclosed and the winning banner will be publicly displayed.
Mr. Saeed Hareb, secretary general of the council of Dubai Sports Council, expressed great delight in teaming with Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace that will help expand the fan base for UAE clubs and promote a positive image of the UAE internationally.
Mr. Saeed Hareb, secretary general of the council of Dubai Sports Council (R) and Mr. Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace (L) address the media at the press conference for the AGL peace initiative.
“We promise to harness all the resources of the Council for the success of the initiative, which is an important step towards the propagation of a culture of peace and rejection of intolerance through sports (football) and its fans,” he said, communicating through an interpreter. “The involvement of Dubai clubs in this initiative will help raise awareness and is an important step towards progress for the humanitarian pursuit of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace.”
Mr. Ahmed Khalfan Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for World Peace, further reinforced the use of the ‘immense popularity of sports’ to achieve their goals.
Both Mr. Hareb and Mr. Al Mansouri seemed optimistic about the program and praised the ‘wise leadership’ of Dubai for coming up with the idea, which brings together more than 200 nationalities residing within the UAE on a single platform, united by their mutual love and appreciation for football.
