Thousands of youngsters already enjoy the UAE School & Street Cups

Since last Saturday, November 7, the ball rolls in the UAE School & Street Cups, two youth competitions organized in the UAE by du Football Champion in collaboration with LaLiga. With this initiative, thousands of young people will receive top-level sports training in their schools and clubs, taking part in both tournaments, which are supported by the Sports Councils (ADSC) and Education (ADEC) of Abu Dhabi.

During the month of September LaLiga´s participation in this youth training project became official. Since then, the number of registrations grew progressively throughout the country, forcing extend the deadline for receipt of applications in more than a week. Finally, about 12,000 young people participate in this edition of the two tournaments that took off in Abu Dhabi last week and elsewhere in the country in recent days.

Fernando Sanz, first Ambassador of Liga BBVA and CEO of LaLiga’s office for the Middle East and Africa, was delighted with the start of an initiative so popular. "It's inspiring to see a whole country participate in these youth tournaments in which LaLiga collaborates. We really want to discover the next football stars in the UAE", said Sanz during the press conference that preceded the start of the competition.

Hundreds of schools and thousands of youngsters are already competing for the great prizes that also deliver these tournaments. Among them, a journey of training and studies to Spain, to compete against the best Spanish youth football teams. Young people from across the country, make up 500 teams in the UAE Schools Cup and another 500 in the UAE Streets Cup. Michel Salgado, Liga BBVA ambassador, is the director of the tournaments sponsored by LaLiga. The presence of competition has spread to numerous media and emblematic parts of the country, including beaches and the main economic and social centers.

The platform that offers du Football Champion, in collaboration with LaLiga, is the first major project to attract young talent in the UAE. The initiative provides an opportunity for many players to develop their skills at national and international level, thanks to this intensive project of recruitment and development of talent, supported by the experience of LaLiga.