Al Ain's Asamoah Gyan does not understand the fuss about him choosing to play in the Arabian Gulf League. Christopher Pike / The National
Al Ain's Asamoah Gyan does not understand the fuss about him choosing to play in the Arabian Gulf League. Christopher Pike / The National
Al Ain's Asamoah Gyan does not understand the fuss about him choosing to play in the Arabian Gulf League. Christopher Pike / The National
Al Ain's Asamoah Gyan does not understand the fuss about him choosing to play in the Arabian Gulf League. Christopher Pike / The National

Asamoah Gyan wants to be an Arabian Gulf League pioneer


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Sunderland signing

Asamoah Gyan was English Premier League side Sunderland’s record signing in 2010, costing them £13 million (Dh75m), but a year later he completed a shock loan move to Al Ain, which became a permanent deal the following season. He has since scored 84 goals in just 69 league games in the UAE.

Countering criticism

Gyan said his move has been a success. “I know a lot of people were unhappy with my decision to move to the UAE,” he told news outlets from Ghana. “A lot of people bashed me for the move, but I knew what I was doing. Yes, the league there is not as competitive as Europe, but people have gone there before me and have been unable to do what I am doing there. The awards I keep winning and the goals I keep scoring is there for anybody to see.”

Cupboard full

With Al Ain, Gyan has won two Arabian Gulf League titles, a President’s Cup and a Super Cup. He was the top scorer in the AGL for three consecutive seasons, amassed 12 goals in the 2014 Asian Champions League and was named Best Foreign Player in Asia.

Van Nistelrooy puzzled

During the World Cup, Gyan was criticised by former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. Now an analyst for ESPN, the Dutchman said: “Why is Gyan playing in the UAE? I don’t know what he is doing there. He should be playing with a top side in Europe. He had a tremendous game [during a 2-2 draw against Germany].”

Pioneer

“I appreciate a legend like Van Nistelrooy taking notice of me during a tournament,” Gyan told Ghana’s Allsports.com. “I remember when I moved to the Gulf, I said my main aim was to raise awareness of the league and this is what is happening. Other players have since joined me there. [Mirko] Vucinic moved from Juventus, Grafite also came in, all great players and it is making our league better and better.

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Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

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