Football-fever is set to hit Abu Dhabi this month when Etihad Airways will host the first-ever Middle East visit of the Chelsea Football Club Soccer Schools.
Etihad, the official airline of English premier league side Chelsea, is inviting Abu Dhabi school children to join the landmark event which takes place between February 20 and 23 at the capital city’s Zayed Sports City.
Four hundred boys and girls, aged between seven and 14, will take part in four days of top-level football training and specialist clinics led by members of Chelsea’s youth academy coaching staff and former players, Roberto Di Matteo and Graeme Le Saux.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ vice president marketing and product, said: “The visit of the Chelsea Soccer Schools will be a fantastic occasion for the hundreds of school children in Abu Dhabi who will learn many of the skills and techniques used by the likes of England football superstars John Terry and Frank Lampard.
“Football has a huge following in the UAE, particularly the English premier league, and we are delighted that through Etihad Airways’ close relationship with Chelsea Football Club we can bring their world-class coaching staff and former football stars to Abu Dhabi.”
Peter Kenyon, Chelsea’s chief executive, said: “Chelsea Football Club places huge importance on our youth and community work and the soccer schools are a major part of fulfilling these ambitions.
“By working with Etihad Airways we are looking forward to bring the soccer schools to the children of Abu Dhabi.”
In addition to the partnership with Chelsea, Etihad Airways has signed an impressive portfolio of sports sponsorships in the last year. These include the title sponsorship of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and lead sponsor for London-based Harlequins Rugby Football Club.
For further information on how to be selected for the Etihad Airways Chelsea Soccer Schools event in Abu Dhabi log on to www.etihadfootball.com.
