Portsmouth FC announces its participation in Footie Abu Dhabi
The region’s first-of-its-kind football dedicated exhibition
Portsmouth FC, one of England’s most prominent football clubs, today announced its partnership with Footie Abu Dhabi, the region’s first-of-its-kind dedicated football event, to be held later this year.
The news was announced during a press conference held at the Jebel Ali Shooting Club which was attended by Portsmouth Club top-notch players including: Sol Campbell, Peter Crouch, and Nwankwo Kanu in addition to Gerard C. Leubel, the CEO of Senses International, the name behind Footie Abu Dhabi, an experienced event management company specialised in sporting events.
“First I want to welcome Portsmouth players to Dubai and extend my thanks to them for accepting our invitation to this Press Launch,” said Leubel. “Portsmouth club enjoys a long history and is famous for its outstanding achievements. We wish them an even brighter future.”
Portsmouth Football Club is an English club based in Portsmouth, Hampshire. They are the current holders of the FA Cup, which they won in 2008, and the Barclays Asia Trophy. The club’s bitter rivals are local team Southampton who also play in the Football League Championship.
Ian Woan, the Coach of Portsmouth FC said: “We are thrilled to be here today, and we want to thank Senses International for their good wishes and support. We believe that Footie Abu Dhabi will definitely enhance the popularity of football in the UAE and unite football fans and enthusiasts from different backgrounds by bringing them together under one roof.”
Footie Abu Dhabi, expected to attract a record number of exhibitors and visitors, will host some of the world’s top football celebrities, former football players, international football stars and coaches. Targeting both professional and non-professional players as well as football fans, Footie Abu Dhabi will cover 8.000 square metres of exhibition space at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre. In addition to the exhibition, visitors will be able to participate in the exciting interactive ‘Activity Zones’ (40% of the exhibition space) which will include refereeing workshops, football tournaments, tracks and technical challenges and videogame championships.
“Footie Abu Dhabi 2009 is set to become the annual meeting place for football professionals from all over the Middle East,” concluded Leubel. “Not only is it promising fantastic action and a festival atmosphere, but it will also be a landmark event for football as we look forward to welcoming some of the world’s best known celebrities in the industry.”
