Khalifa honours UAE National Olympic Football Team

Shaikh Khalifa congratulated the UAE team and the technical and management staff for the qualification to the team to the football finals of the London Olympics 2012.

The UAE President received the UAE Olympic Football Team here today at Dhiyafa Palace in the presence of Shaikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President’s Representative and Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region.

Shaikh Khalifa lauded the historic feat scored by the UAE National Olympic Team for the first time to qualify for the Olympics to represent the UAE in international sports gathering. He added that the appearance of the UAE sports teams in different sports occasions reflects the development and progress attained by the UAE in all fields.

He urged them to represent the UAE in the London Olympics in prestigious manner that matches the UAE’s standing, adding that the sports today reflects the progress.

Shaikh Khalifa underlined that the UAE is keen on promoting the sports and rehabilitating youth armed with high spirits and good manners. “Good sports nurtures brain and brings up an aware generation that puts reputation of his country and people first”.

He pledged to support young Emiratis who represent the country in all regional and international sports occasions that could keep UAE’s head high and reflect the true image of the country.

For their part, the UAE Football Association and Olympic Team members expressed their gratitude to the UAE President for his unlimited support to Emiratis in all fields. They pledged to the President to exert their efforts to honour the country in the London Olympics 2012. They also expressed their pleasure of meeting the President.

Also present were Shaikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler‘s Representative in the Eastern Region, Shaikh Surour bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Shaikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, Shaikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler‘s Representative, Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Etihad Airways, H.H. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Executive Council Member, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ahmed Jumaa Al Za’abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs, a number of Shaikhs, senior officials, Chairman and members of the UAE Football Association, management and technical staff of the UAE National Olympic Football Team and a number of sports leaders in the UAE.