Of all the Dubai sports, football or soccer fever tends to grip the nation passionately. There is football action right through the year, except June, July and August; and a visit to Dubai can be fun-filled for a football fan. Whether watching UAE league matches or international friendly ties or playing in variation football, a travel in Dubai can be an exhilarating experience.
Among organized Dubai sports, the history of football dates back to 1920s. From a popular neighborhood game, football gained widespread popularity and by the 1940s, there were several small clubs playing matches amongst themselves. A couple of decades later, these small clubs consolidated into large football clubs that now play professional football. A travel to Dubai reveals many well-maintained football fields.
Non-professional football as an indoor activity is also gaining popularity among people who visit Dubai as well as the locals – like the 5-a-side football etc. Usually there are tournaments during the winter months.
A sports enthusiast should visit Dubai during January to see football teams from Europe and South America in action at the Dubai Football Challenge. Travel to Dubai can be planned during the football season to include Professional League Association (PLA) tournaments. Some of the tourneys are – the Super Cup, the President’s Cup, and Professional Clubs Cup etc.
Promotion of football among Dubai sports has resulted in the formation of several major football clubs like the Al Nasr, Al Ahli, Al Shabab, Al Wasl, Hatta Club and Dubai Cultural and Sports Club. Besides playing in local championships, these clubs also invite international football players to visit Dubai to promote the sport.
DWFA:
Women tourists who visit Dubai can look out for action at the Dubai Women’s Football Association that encourages women to play football competitively. There are two league seasons every year and a seven-a-team one-day tournament during winter. There are sixteen teams belonging to two divisions –expert and novice. Anyone without experience can also join the fun. Matches are held in Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence and usually teams train once a week on Saturdays.
Contact: Before you visit Dubai, you can check out the details of women’s football among Dubai sports from their website www.dubaiwfa.com. While on a travel to Dubai, details can be obtained from the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence. Email - dubaiwf@hotmail.com.
Al Nasr Sports Club:
History: For football aficionados who visit Dubai, the name of Al Nasr Sports Club is nothing new. The 60-year old club, under the patronage of the His Highness Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and the Dubai Government, is known in Dubai sports for encouraging sports activities among youth. The club has over 350 players who travel in Dubai playing in various division-level tournaments.
Facilities: With eight pitches and over 60 administrative personnel and coaches, the club gives prominence to promote school football. The Al Nasr club has won many local championships. The Club’s First division was at its peak during the 70s and 80s and toured several countries to promote Dubai sports. Brazilian team Santos under the leadership of Pele visited Dubai on Al Nasr’s invitation.
Contact: The club has an official website - http://www.alnasrclub.com/ that provides ample information to people who visit Dubai. The postal address is - P.O. Box 2226, Dubai, UAE.
Telephone: +971 4 3375500, 3375845, 3372220.
Al Shabab Al Arabi Club:
History: The Al Shabab Club came into official recognition in 1974, though an attempt was made to establish the club as early as 1958. A visit to Dubai brings into contact vocal fans of the club especially in Deira District. The Chairman of the club is H.H. Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum. The club has three UAE League titles, four Emir Cup titles and one Gulf Club Champions Cup to its credit. It is a well-known name in Dubai sports and the team has played in several Asian Club Championship games.
Facilities: The club has a huge stadium, the Al Maktoum Stadium with a seating capacity of 20,000. Brazilian Toninho Cerezo is the coach for the team that plays in the UAE league.
Contact: While visiting Dubai, the contact address of the Al Shabab club is P.O Box 3458.
Telephone: +971 (4) 2967755 and Fax – +971 (4) 2966605.
Al Ahli Football Club:
History: Al Ahli Football Club came into being in 1970 when three local clubs merged and a traveler on a visit to Dubai must know that this is one of the most successful clubs. Prominent among Dubai sports clubs, Al Ahli has the distinction of winning four UAE league titles and six Emir Cups. The club enjoyed its glory days from 1973 to 1980, and went on decline for a couple of decades. It bounced back to capture the 2006 league title.
Facilities: The Rashid Stadium has a seating capacity of 18,000 and several administrative blocks. Besides the stadium, the club figures prominently in Dubai sports through its encouragement for other sports like basketball, volleyball, tennis, and track cycling etc.
Al Wasl Sports Club:
History: The Al Wasl, founded in the year 1974, is one of the successful football clubs among Dubai sports clubs. The Chairman of the club is Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The club has several distinctions to its credit like seven UAE League titles and two UAE President Cup. The team appeared in the AFC Champions league in 2008.
Facilities: The team’s official playground is Zabeel Stadium with a seating capacity of 18,000. Al Wasl is the only UAE team to have played in all UAE premier division matches. A tourist on a visit to Dubai might be surprised that the club’s legendary player Fahad Khamees still holds the record of 165 goals.
Some of the other active Dubai sports clubs that have football stadium and encourage school-level soccer are the Dubai Cultural and Sports Club and the Hatta Club.