ABU DHABI // The UAE is building a football pitch for a US school in an area affected by Hurricane Sandy.
The field, to be used by pupils and young sportspeople from the community, will be built at Bradley Elementary School in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
“We are delighted to be a part of this exciting gift to the kids of Bradley Elementary and the Asbury Park community,” said Dana Al Marashi, of the UAE Embassy in America.
“Working with great local partners, the UAE Embassy has been committed to providing support and deepening involvement to help communities rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
“We are proud of this second community football field in the state following the dedication of a field in Atlantic City last autumn. We hope the kids of Asbury Park have fun using this field for many years to come.”
Embassy staff joined representatives from the Affordable Housing Alliance and the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
Hurricane Sandy pounded through countries including the US and West Indies, killing 233 people and causing an estimated US$68 billion, or almost Dh250bn, worth of damage.
George Itty, chief executive of Abu Dhabi charity organisation Nahtam, said the timing was apt at the start of Ramadan.
“The UAE is excellent when it comes to humanitarian and charity work,” Mr Itty said. “The UAE has that caring culture, so wherever it is required and if they’re aware of it, the UAE leaders will support such initiatives.
“This is a special month of giving and caring. Whether during Ramadan or not, the UAE has clearly shown its support in such projects for humanity.”
The development and construction of these types of community fields is part of the embassy’s commitment to helping restore storm-hit communities across the state.
“The alliance is pleased to be the conduit to such community development activities that help our younger community members,” said Donna Blaze, chief executive for the Affordable Housing Alliance.
“It was a pleasure to work with each of our partners in this effort to bring high-quality recreational opportunities to local youth.”
Dr Lamont Repollet, superintendent for Asbury Park Public Schools, said the field would provide a safe environment for pupils to build upon the administration’s principles of self-confidence, service and leadership.
“And there is no better avenue to express all three than sports,” he said. “The district of Asbury Park is excited to receive this gift from the UAE Embassy and the Affordable Housing Alliance. This is the first step of what Asbury Park hopes will be a lasting partnership.”
Asbury Park is the eighth US city to receive the gift of a football field from the embassy. Others are in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Washington DC, Dallas and Atlantic City.
Since 2010, the embassy has collaborated with community partners across the US to provide children access to the best facilities and programmes.
As part of its public diplomacy efforts in the US, the embassy also donated last summer US$4.5m (Dh16.5m) to the state’s Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund to help repair technological infrastructure at dozens of schools.
Twelve young Emiratis of the Emirates Foundation for Youth Development’s Takatof programme spent a week helping to renovate and build houses in the state, and acting as cultural ambassadors for the UAE.
cmalek@thenational.ae
