Budding talent of the future will have the chance to be scouted by top clubs in the Spanish top flight and will will travel to Spain in July to play competitive matches against four of the top La Liga youth sides.
The Elite team was selected following an intensive month-long duFC training camp in May at the Sevens Stadium.
The training, designed and delivered by UEFA-certified La Liga coaches from Spain, provided them with a real-life experience as professional footballers.
As part of the training programme, players also received fitness training from top trainers at Talise Fitness to ensure that they were ready for the game.
Commenting on the news, Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Commercial Officer, du said: “Through the du Football Champions, we will develop the next generation of world standard professional football players right here in the UAE. The May training camp led by La Liga coaches gave these young athletes exposure to the Spanish style of football and what it means to commit to becoming professional football players.”
He added: “Together with our partners in the public and private sector, we are pleased to announce the duFC’s Elite players from the UAE who will compete against Spain’s strongest youth teams and earn a chance to be scouted by top teams.”
The duFC Elite Talent Team is the final selection from the top 20 talents and winning teams who were selected from over 7,100 participants in the inaugural season of the du Football Champions.
Speaking about the announcement, Hussein Murad, CEO, Inspiratus, the organizers of duFC said: “Our objective is to bring the boys’ levels up to European standards, ensuring they are not just physically prepared for their matches against La Liga’s top youth clubs, but are mentally and emotionally fit for this life changing experience. The only way to do that is to have them coached by professionals from the world’s strongest league. We are proud to have a dream team now equipped to compete against Spain’s best youth team and demonstrate their potential for a pro-football career with La Liga.”
The journey of these young UAE football ambassadors began with the nationwide duFC UAE Streets and Schools Cup, which kicked off in October.
Six months and 1,215 games later, 70 boys were selected to attend an intensive two-day clinic with four La Liga coaches flown in especially from Spain to work with the group and identify those with high potential.
Head LaLiga Coach Rafael Gil said: “The May training was about seeing which of the players among both the top 20 and the champions of the Cups really has what it takes to play at a European level, which players are determined, coachable, have the skill, emotional and mental maturity as well as the drive and spark to go all the way. Choosing the final team was a difficult task; all the boys we worked with are so talented, it was special to observe each player’s individual growth over this last month.”
Following the trip from Spain, the elite team will be enrolled at du La Liga High Performance Centre where they will continue their rigorous training to La Liga standards year-round.
The duFC Elite football team members are:
Goalkeepers:
Nawaf Hussein (Abu Dhabi)
Mahan Javaheri (Dubai)
Defenders:
Mohannad Wahdan, Center (Abu Dhabi)
Lucas Tetart, Center (Dubai)
Laurent Hallal, Right back (Dubai)
Rashed Ahmed, Left back (Northern Emirates)
Yuvir Vekram Kelkar, Center (Dubai)
Midfielders:
Mohamed Bouherrafa, Center-Mid (Dubai)
Luka Eric, Center-Mid (Dubai)
Ahmad Salam Abu Shihab, Right-Mid (Abu Dhabi)
Ahmed El Yamani, Left-Mid (Northern Emirates)
Mohamad Anas, Center-Mid (Dubai)
Ahmed Asif Aref, Left-Mid (Northern Emirates)
Amir Faghighi, Right-Mid (Dubai)
Forwards:
Ramy Hatem, (Al Ain)
Yahia Iraqi, (Dubai)
Mohamed Rajeh (Northern Emirates)
Driss Matni, (Abu Dhabi)
