Manchester City Football Club manager Manuel Pellegrini, right, and star midfielder Samir Nasri at a coaching session at the Manchester City Football School in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy City Football Schools
Manchester City Football Club manager Manuel Pellegrini, right, and star midfielder Samir Nasri at a coaching session at the Manchester City Football School in Abu Dhabi. Courtesy City Football SchoolShow more

Man City football stars praise UAE’s youth players



ABU DHABI // Manchester City FC manager Manuel Pellegrini and star midfielder Samir Nasri say they are proud of the work their club is doing to develop young UAE players.

They pair were present as the club launched its latest coaching sessions for youngsters at the Manchester City Football School at Zayed Sports City.

“Football is very much about passion and I see that with the young players and fans in Abu Dhabi,” Nasri said.

“The game has always been popular in the Middle East but I really see the new emerging players are taking the standards higher, and it is only going to get better from here.”

Pellegrini, the Chilean manager of the reigning English Premier League champions, said: “The importance of coaching starts at a young age and it is great the way these players in Abu Dhabi, both boys and girls, are being taught in the right way.

“Manchester City is now a global team and that strikes me when I see what is happening in Abu Dhabi with the young player coaching. It’s very satisfying.

“What we must do as a club is make sure the same methods are used by everyone. It is not just important what happens on the pitch but also what happens off it.”

The training sessions are for boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 18 years who want to learn football skills from professional coaches.

The classes start in August at the indoor arena at Zayed Sports City, before moving to the outdoor pitches when the weather cools.

Hundreds of players have been taught by the club in the three years the classes have been running.

This year, more coaches and trainers have been hired to add even more classes.

nalwasmi@thenational.ae

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
  • Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
  • Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
  • Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
 
 
THE LOWDOWN

Photograph

Rating: 4/5

Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies

Director: Ritesh Batra

Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

The Bio

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity

Jebel Ali Dragons 26 Bahrain 23

Dragons
Tries: Hayes, Richards, Cooper
Cons: Love
Pens: Love 3

Bahrain
Tries: Kenny, Crombie, Tantoh
Cons: Phillips
Pens: Phillips 2