Top clubs head to UAE for winter camps

Simon Collings 00:33 22/01/2014
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  • State-of-the-art: The UAE boasts top facilities and an ideal climate.

    A host of international and club teams are heading to Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi to stay at their top of the game during the winter months.

    Over 400 professional footballers from five international teams and seven leading club sides have descended on the UAE to utilise the impressive facilities and ideal climate on offer. 

    Bundesliga outfits Wolfsburg and Hamburg have been joined by Newcastle United of the Premier League, with all three taking part in training camps at Zayed Sports City.

    The clubs' presence in the capital comes as no surprise, with the venue becoming a destination for football teams since 2010.

    In that time the Sports City has hosted numerous training session and friendlies, including Brazil against Iran and the UAE versus Manchester City.

    The increase in demand for the state-of-the-art facilities has seen the number of pitches on offer at the Zayed Sports City increase to 16.

    This year, as well as club sides, the UAE capital has welcomed Sweden, Norway, Poland, Iceland and Moldova to its warm conditions.

    Speaking after a friendly against Poland, Norway manager Per-Mathias Høgmo, admitted he was delighted with the organisation of the trip and that he would have no hesitation in returning.   

    “We have had an excellent stay here,” he said.

    “Of course we would come back. The facilities have been great and the hospitality has been excellent.

    "The pitches at the training grounds are very high class – the grass is excellent. It is the same here in the stadium; the pitch is very high class. 

    “It has been very important for us to play games against good opposition as we have done here. The organisation has been very good.”

    Many of the team’s trips are organised by Royal Concorde Sports Management (RCSM), who have been bringing teams to the UAE for a number of years.

    “All of the international friendlies that have happen here this January have been organised by us. It’s something we are very proud of,” said Souhaib Mishmish, CEO of RCSM.

    “We are very proud to be able to bring these teams to this great country and show what the UAE has to offer.

    “The facilities here at Zayed Sports City are something special. I have been all over the world and these compare to the best that I’ve seen.

    “We have big plans for the future and we look forward to bring more teams to the UAE in the future.”  

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