Dubai Schools Football Cup Ranked as one of Dubai’s Best Sports Events

The Dubai Schools Football Cup, a groundbreaking tournament for boys and girls aged 11-16, was officially ranked as the best youth event for 2014/2015 under the newly introduced Sports Events Ranking System.

Dubai Schools Football Cup was recognized for excellence in social development, event management and organization in the initiative launched by the Dubai Sports Council to rank sports events according to 13 criteria and 29 key performance indicators (KPIs), which are global benchmarks of excellence. 

Results of the ranking system, which is managed by a Swiss specialized company, were ratified by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, and were revealed at a ceremony held at Armani Hotel Burj Khalifa on Monday night.

Organized by sports marketing specialists Inspiratus, in partnership with Dubai Sports Council and Chevrolet, the Dubai Schools Football Cup was the only school tournament and the only youth football tournament selected in the ranking, which reviews the 400 sports events taking place in Dubai. Dubai Schools Football Cup was ranked in the 4-star category along with such prominent events as Dubai Desert Classic and Dubai Nike Run. Only four global events received the higher ranking in the 5-star category.

Commenting on the results, Mr. Abdulla Shahdad, Manager of School Sports Section at Dubai Sports Council said, “We congratulate Inspiratus on this recognition for the Dubai Schools Football Cup.  This is a truly innovative tournament executed to the high levels, which has provided the youth from across Dubai with a unique platform to nurture their talents, capabilities and love of sports.  We continue to support this great youth event as it grows to become a UAE wide initiative.”

Speaking at the recognition ceremony, former Real Madrid star and Cup Director Michel Salgado said: “It’s great to be here and to witness this public recognition of an initiative that is changing the lives of youth in Dubai and giving them access to a world-class tournament and making their dreams come true. This is such as an important event for the youth and community of Dubai and we are proud to now be able to make it accessible to youth all over the country.” 

The support of Main Sponsor Chevrolet enabled Dubai Schools Football Cup to be free of charge to all participants as part of their CSR commitment to engage the largest number of youth around the world’s most popular sport, football. Over 2,000 boys and girls from 125 teams participated in the last edition of the Cup: “At Chevrolet, we understand the key role that football and tournaments such as Dubai Schools Football Cup can play in terms of development of children and communities. We are thrilled with the ranking and delighted to be part of this event, which provided youth with the opportunity to hone their skills and bring the power of play to children throughout the UAE,” said Abdallah Madhoun, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Chevrolet, GM Middle East.

The new Sports Events Ranking System is part of Dubai’s efforts to set new global benchmarks for excellence in the sports sector and promoting a culture of excellence and creativity in sporting activities.

Speaking after the event Inspiratus CEO Hussein Murad said, “We are honored that the Dubai Schools Football Cup was recognized as one of the year’s best event, not only for excellence in quality and organization but for its contribution to social development.  Ultimately, this Cup celebrates Dubai’s youth, their aspirations, their future and our commitment to help them live a fulfilled live through their passion for sports and football. We thank Dubai Sports Council and Chevrolet for their partnership and we dedicate this recognition to all the youth who took part in this event. They are the ones who make it worthwhile.”

The Dubai Schools Football Cup has expanded to become a UAE nationwide initiative, the UAE Schools Cup, which kicked off in Abu Dhabi on 31st October 2015.