The temperature is increasing outside but this hasn’t stopped Duplays from launching another competition – the FGB Arena 5-a-side Cup, an indoor football tournament that kicks off from May 26.
If you are looking for a fun, competitive way to score that big goal or block that perfect shot, then this is the competition for you.
For the first time, the competition will be played at the FGB Arena at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, which recently in April hosted the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championships.
And the winners of the four-week competition, being held in association with FGB Arena and Circle Life Abu Dhabi, will receive Dh5,000 in prize money.
Explaining why the FGB Arena was chosen to host the competition, Ray Gibson, head of operations at Duplays Abu Dhabi, said: “It’s one of the best indoor facilities in the city.
“We are really keen to play there and play our part in playing a big role in developing indoor sports in Abu Dhabi. And we want to bring many people to the venue.
“The venue is designed to host many sports. It’s been constructed to mainly develop jiu-jitsu in the UAE. And that’s the core function of the venue itself. We want to do a lot of things there and give this a try.”
Taking place on Mondays from May 26, each team will play two matches per week in a round-robin format. Teams are awarded two points for each victory, while one for a draw. In the final week, the play-offs will be played to determine the winner.
The rules are the same as general five-a-side matches, with no head-height rules and slide tackling.
Players must be male and 18 years and over. Although Duplays will allow those who are 16 and over to participate if they are supervised by a guardian or parent, who is also playing.
Unlike previous Duplays football tournaments, this competition runs for four-weeks, which Gibson believes is ideal especially as the weather is getting hot.
He said: “Most of our leagues have been seven-a-side but this is five-a-side. This competition is over four weeks instead of the traditional six to eight weeks that we usually hold. It’s something a bit different because as it’s getting hotter people like to play indoors in a cooler environment.”
Team entries cost Dh1,800, while individuals, who will be formed into a side, will be charged Dh450. If you want to take advantage of the 10 per cent discount then sign up before Wednesday, May 21.
Gibson believes it’s a tournament that people will enjoy playing.
He said: “Duplays are committed to make sports fun and social for everyone and this is an opportunity to experience a sport in a fantastic new venue in the city and play for a cash prize for the first time.”
What: FGB Arena 5-a-side Cup
Where: FGB Arena, Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi
When: From May 26 to June 16 from 20:00
Contact: Register at https://duplaysabudhabi.playpass.com
