Abu Dhabi // The Government will give football clubs cash awards based on their performances in international and local championships. According to a decree issued by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, even those teams who do badly will be adequately supported. The state news agency WAM quoted the decree as saying: "Any club [that] descends on the professional league or a similar championship to a lower rank will come under the fixed budget."
"Ample financial support will be given to any club which has a plan for development of the football game through establishment of a specialised sports academy [on a par] with international standards approved by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council." The decree also promised that any sportsman who did especially well at a competition, or any Abu Dhabi footballer who won a title, would be rewarded. Any club hosting or participating in sport events must abide by the standards and conditions set by Abu Dhabi Sport Council and the event must be held under its patronage.
* The National