Al Wasl’s Ali Salmin scoops Best Football Player award, while Shabab Al Ahli’s Khalifa Yousuf Atiq is adjudged Best Emerging Football Player under the Dubai Sports Excellence Model

Dubai, UAE, November 21, 2018:  Sheikh Butti bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, the former chief of Al Wasl Club and ex chair of the National Olympic Committee, was honoured for his yeoman service to sport along with four other Sports Pioneers by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai International Marine Club, at a glittering awards ceremony of the Dubai Sports Excellence Model.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the Dubai Sports Excellence Model also honoured 11 athletes in the Individual Excellence Category and gave away five under the Institutional Excellence Category at the awards ceremony on Wednesday afternoon in Hotel Habtoor Palace.

HE Mattar Al Tayer, Vice Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, was present at the awards, which were organised by Dubai Sports Council under the slogan 'Unlimited Ambitions', along with HE Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of DSC, and a number of other sports dignitaries.

Abdullah Mohammed Hareb Al-Falahi, a former secretary of UAE Football Association and one of the founding members of Al Wasl Club, was also honoured as a Sports Pioneer along with Khalifa Sultan bin Suleiman, a former member of the National Olympic Committee’s Board of Directors; Abdullah Abdul Rahman Al Saye, the first Emirati to become chairman of the UAE Referees' Committee; and Gomaa Ghareeb Mubarak, the first manager of the UAE national football team (1972 Gulf Cup) and the first national coach of the team in 1973.

The Dubai Sports Excellence Model has been designed with the Dubai Plan 2021 in mind and it seeks to implement the Government’s strategic directions to support and develop the sports sector in Dubai and help it reach international standards. The Model also follows the vision of Dubai Sports Council, which is to create a distinguished and happy sports community.

AWARD WINNERS

Sports Excellence: Sheikh Butti bin Maktoum Al Maktoum; Abdullah Mohammed Hareb Al-Falahi; Khalifa Sultan bin Suleiman; Abdullah Abdul Rahman Al Saye; Gomaa Ghareeb Mubarak.

Individual Excellence Category

• Best Football Player: Ali Hassan Salmin (Al Wasl FC)
• Best Emerging Football Player: Khalifa Yousuf Atiq (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai FC)
• Best Male Athlete – Individual Sports: Mubarak Mohammed Salem Al Bishr (Al Wasl Sports Club; Swimming)
• Best Female Athlete – Individual Sports: Fatima Yousuf Abdullah (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai SC; Track and Field)
• Best Emerging Athlete – Individual Sports: Yousuf Rashid Al Matroushi (Al Wasl Sports Club; Swimming)
• Best Player Male – Team Sports: Mubarak Khalifa Khalfan (Al Wasl Sports Club; Basketball)
• Best Player Female - Team Sports: Nadia Ali Abdullah (Al Wasl Sports Club; Volleyball)
• Best Emerging Player – Team Sports: Al Reem Jassem Mohammed Al Balushi (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai; Volleyball)
• Best Male Athlete in the People of Determination Category – Individual Sports: Mohammed Khamis Khalaf (Dubai Club for People of Determination; Weightlifting)
• Best Female Athlete in the People of Determination Category – Individual Sports: Siham Masoud Al Rashidi (Dubai Club for People of Determination; Track and Field).
• Best Player in the People of Determination Category – Team Sports: Arif Hassan Darwish Al Balushi (Dubai Club for People of Determination; Handball)

Institutional Excellence Category

• Best Football Company/Academy in Nurturing Talent: Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Football Company
• Best Sports Club/Football Company in Corporate Efficiency: Al Wasl Football Company
• Best Club in Specialised Category: Dubai Club for People of Determination
• Best Sports Club: Al Nasr Sports Club
• Best Football Company: Al Wasl Football Company