Manchester City FC manager Manuel Pellegrini and star midfielder Samir Nasri have spoken of their pride in seeing the club help develop young players in the UAE.
It comes as the new season of the City Football School at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi gets underway.
Boys and girls can sign up now for the coaching sessions which start at the end of August at the indoor arena before going out onto the pitches once the weather cools.
City manager Pellegrini, who took the team to the league title last season, said: “The importance of coaching starts at a young age and it is great the way these players in Abu Dhabi, both boys and girls, are being taught in the right way.
“What we must do as a club is make sure the same methods are used by everyone and it is not just important what happens on the pitch but also what happens off it.
“Manchester City is now a global team and that strikes me when I see what is happening in Abu Dhabi with the young player coaching – it’s very satisfying.”
City Football Schools in the UAE teach young players the same techniques taught at the club – from the first team stars to the youth teams.
Hundreds of players have been taught at Zayed Sports City in the last three seasons with the football school growing all the time with new coaches added along with improved training sessions.
Midfielder Nasri added: “Football is very much about passion and I see that with the young players and fans in Abu Dhabi.
“The game has always been popular in the Middle East but I really see that the new emerging players are taking the standards higher and it is only going to get better from here.”
