Dreams were made real this week in Dubai, as the winner of the groundbreaking first series of The Victorious television football contest was announced in front of a packed audience.
Yousef Al Watani, 19, fulfilled a life-long ambition as he was handed the coveted title by Argentina legend Diego Maradona after finishing top in the programme designed to unearth an Arabic star and provide them with an opportunity to impress at an elite professional European club.
The overjoyed champion headed the public vote after the final six was whittled down to a quartet, with his reward a two-week trial with Italian heavyweights Juventus and $100,000 (Dh367,305).
The thrilling crescendo at Dubai Sports City – aired by Dubai Sports in the Emirates and beamed to homes across North Africa and the Middle East – was the culmination of months of intense competition.
“This programme has opened up big doors for me, allowing me to show off my skills,” Al Watani told Sport360°. “It is so good to play in front of legends like Diego Maradona. I was so excited when I heard about this programme.”
The flamboyant and hugely-talented Moroccan winger emerged from a group of 22 specially-selected players, all given a second chance at a professional career.
The rest of the final six included countryman Hamza Al Taheri, Saudi Arabia’s Bander Al Gaisy, Lebanon’s Mohammed Al Marqabawi, Algeria’s Mohammed Anis and Palestine’s Ahmad Awedah.
Second-placed Al Marqabawi is to now spend a fortnight with German giants Hamburg, Al Taheri and Anis a year with Spanish side Hercules after finishing third and fourth, while fifth-placed Awedah and sixth-placed Al Gaisy will enjoy a three-month spell at the leading Genova International Academy in Italy.
An expert panel of judges was assembled, headed by Maradona – the Argentina forward widely hailed as the greatest player in history.
Joining him were Algeria’s European Cup winner Rabah Madjer and former Egypt defender Hany Ramzy who spent more than a decade playing top-flight football in Germany.
Each week, globally-renowned football figures were invited to see which contestants would be eliminated. Among those making the trip to the UAE to pass on their expertise were Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, Brazil World Cup winners Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos, plus talismanic Spain and Al Sadd sriker Raul.
Awedah, nicknamed ‘Mego’ on the show, explained his disbelief at being introduced to such a stellar cast of icons.
“One of my dreams was to meet Ronaldo. We had a practice, and it was a surprise when he visited us. I couldn’t believe he was here. Ryan Giggs and Raul as well – it was like a dream.”
The Victorious players were put through their paces by former Real Madrid stalwart Michel Salgado and ex-Arsenal midfielder Jehad Al Muntasser, undertaking gruelling training sessions that pushed their talents to the limit.
Each aspect of their abilities were tested daily in a lengthy series of drills designed to find out who had the mettle to succeed at a top European outfit, with this process including friendlies against Arabian Gulf League sides such as Al Shabab.
They were also introduced by the coaches to the requirements of living an athlete’s lifestyle, their every action while staying in Dubai Sports City Football Academy filmed for the camera.
The show was a great success in its opening run, with plans already well under way to find the next batch of talented youngsters from the region in the second series.
“After all the good things that we have seen, it will be even bigger again,” said the Spanish Soccer Schools director Salgado. “What I am living and sharing with the kids is priceless. We are doing so much for the region and Dubai, I expect something big with this show.
“It was a pleasure to be involved. There was a lot of pressure, as the programme was shown in so many countries. It is providing something special to the players in the Middle East, to be given the final chance of a professional career.
“Most of them will have the chance to train with professional teams, and they will never forget this experience.”
The life-changing decisions were not just made on the football pitch during the series. For Saudi attacking midfielder Al Gaisy, taking part has enabled the health of his family to be improved.
“My father is very ill,” he revealed. “During one of the episodes I said my dream was to have enough money to cure my father.
“The Victorious TV show told me whether I won or not, they would pay for all his treatments from A-Z. I never thought about being a celebrity, my whole aim was to make my father happy and thank God, that has happened.”
