![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E3G2RXDPNZP5K2TRAACGYRKVX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dac7764269a68d37c4f1aa8d778595cd972966022db9c9134b102f8e4610cc29&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi plays plays for the national team and Abu Dhabi Country Club.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CA4VQMNU6TRVPASPJ7SMOM7QU4.jpg?smart=true&auth=9bf4443551168070d882647302d83c5de11b483d6035452df68b35061729ffb4&width=400&height=225)
Emirati footballer Areej Al Hammadi will represent the UAE in the national finals of Neymar Jr’s Five a side tournament. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z46BOLSPKZYNPFB33ARSEUFRUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=086d6a09e1b034b545bd6ba3a16fa684f421b7c1f0b8925e3c3ea7473b17bccf&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi said interest in the women’s game is growing but there are not enough clubs or competitions.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QOPNO4GECQ2ADYAH77YP7RKNFQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c6832c29027f52ba5581ae3e14b9385b14b98e83a2b9ce5e9a5cb62a6c237ced&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi set a ‘hot-stepping’ world record in August of recording an impressive 86 ball-control tricks in just a minute.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GH3ZQKPKFJQZNH5I3N6XLDMRVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c6c367d8a323eb37602b7953d780aa0f6832786adec13a38542f943e6f9775c&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi believes that in the UAE more sporting opportunities are opening up.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IKP4BUUFI354X47GPCNDJ7AAO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=03526c30936497cf5291c04a36d8aa83cf565f8268261f7a2e29c80810db3f71&width=400&height=225)
Every girl who is interested in participating in sport should have the opportunity to do so, says Ms Al Hammadi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AC5GVT4IDWWRBQZDVFL36JM7NI.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e9843d7daa4cfef29c9bc08a8942f9b068eed7002f511e685faaa05f2980a2f&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi has been training for the UAE national futsal team - a form of the indoor game favoured in South America.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E3G2RXDPNZP5K2TRAACGYRKVX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dac7764269a68d37c4f1aa8d778595cd972966022db9c9134b102f8e4610cc29&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi plays plays for the national team and Abu Dhabi Country Club.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/CA4VQMNU6TRVPASPJ7SMOM7QU4.jpg?smart=true&auth=9bf4443551168070d882647302d83c5de11b483d6035452df68b35061729ffb4&width=400&height=225)
Emirati footballer Areej Al Hammadi will represent the UAE in the national finals of Neymar Jr’s Five a side tournament. All photos by Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z46BOLSPKZYNPFB33ARSEUFRUU.jpg?smart=true&auth=086d6a09e1b034b545bd6ba3a16fa684f421b7c1f0b8925e3c3ea7473b17bccf&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi said interest in the women’s game is growing but there are not enough clubs or competitions.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/QOPNO4GECQ2ADYAH77YP7RKNFQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=c6832c29027f52ba5581ae3e14b9385b14b98e83a2b9ce5e9a5cb62a6c237ced&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi set a ‘hot-stepping’ world record in August of recording an impressive 86 ball-control tricks in just a minute.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GH3ZQKPKFJQZNH5I3N6XLDMRVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=8c6c367d8a323eb37602b7953d780aa0f6832786adec13a38542f943e6f9775c&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi believes that in the UAE more sporting opportunities are opening up.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IKP4BUUFI354X47GPCNDJ7AAO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=03526c30936497cf5291c04a36d8aa83cf565f8268261f7a2e29c80810db3f71&width=400&height=225)
Every girl who is interested in participating in sport should have the opportunity to do so, says Ms Al Hammadi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/AC5GVT4IDWWRBQZDVFL36JM7NI.jpg?smart=true&auth=7e9843d7daa4cfef29c9bc08a8942f9b068eed7002f511e685faaa05f2980a2f&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi has been training for the UAE national futsal team - a form of the indoor game favoured in South America.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E3G2RXDPNZP5K2TRAACGYRKVX4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dac7764269a68d37c4f1aa8d778595cd972966022db9c9134b102f8e4610cc29&width=400&height=225)
Ms Al Hammadi plays plays for the national team and Abu Dhabi Country Club.
Neymar tournament inspires Emirati player to expand women's football
Soccer skills world record holder says women’s game in UAE is on the up
![Nick Webster](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9cfba7f3-8cc8-4789-bcec-97bd0007d9ef.png?smart=true&auth=96a9a5766af20e4704e52306e74ecd02669a7e0ffd084d4151d31e0039a945d3&width=70&height=70)
Nick Webster
11 April, 2021
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