Latest news with #AbdullaAlJneibi
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi clubs gear up for Pro League season
14 Aug 2025 00:39 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)As the countdown goes down to the start of the ADNOC Pro League's new season, clubs are burning the midnight oil to pick up players even though the transfer window remains open until October clubs are trying to get their new signings into the country as early as possible while the season's opening fixtures are set to unfold on Saturday and Sunday, marking the 18th staging of the league in its professional season's launch was preceded by a formal draw event held at ADNOC headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by dignitaries, including Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC CEO, as well as Abdulla Al Jneibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League and First Vice President of the UAE Football the draw introduced a novel AI-driven schedule mechanism, designed to distribute high-profile matches evenly across rounds, avoid clustering matches within the same city, and respect clubs' continental commitments. The first round has ensured easy match-ups for the top-table clubs from last year's standings, thus expecting a flying first round will feature the following pairings: Shabab Al Ahli vs Al Dhafra; Dibba vs Sharjah; Al Ain vs Al Bataeh; Ittihad Kalba vs Al Nasr; Ajman vs Al Wahda; Khor Fakkan vs Al Jazira; and Al Wasl vs Bani clubs based out of the Abu Dhabi emirate, Al Jazira have bolstered their squad by securing Brazilian defender Willyan Rocha from CSKA Moscow in their latest addition. He joins the 'Pride of Abu Dhabi' club, comprising foreign players such as Egyptians Ibrahim Adel and Mohamed Elneny, French playmaker Nabil Fekir, and the Argentine forward Roman Merez. Rocha's arrival underscores Al Jazira's ambition to enhance defensive depth while maintaining creative midfield and attacking Ain will commence the season against newly promoted Al Bataeh. The leading club from Al Ain Region strengthened their squad in June by recruiting Houssine Rahimi on a four-year contract; the midfielder comes from Raja Casablanca and joins his brother, Soufiane, at the Wahda, another prominent Abu Dhabi-based side, will face Ajman in the opening Yas executed a flurry of transfer activity in recent days, adding several foreigners to their roster. They signed Brazilian midfielder Kaiki Pereira (25), previously with Botafogo and Spartak Subotica; UAE international Mackenzie Hunt (23), from Fleetwood Town in England; and Tunisian playmaker Oussama Abeid (23), from Étoile du Sahel. The club complemented these with other signings and who were presented in front of iconic local backdrops. Uzbek player Akmal Muzgovoi was announced via visuals at Yas Marina Circuit, Mali's Mahamadou Camara was introduced through heritage-themed content, and Ivorian striker Ismaël Touré was revealed using footage from Zayed International Bataeh, meanwhile, signed Guinean midfielder Omar Keita, 22, on loan from Shabab Al Ahli. Al Dhafra have added Moroccan striker Karim El Berkaoui, 30, on a free transfer for one season. Among the Dubai clubs, Al Wasl have unveiled their marquee acquisition, Sergio Pereira Andrade or Serginho, from Cape Verde. He joins from the Danish club Viborg. The signing for the club, nicknamed Emperors, was publicised through a creative video produced at the Jebel Ali racecourse – colloquially called the 'Yellow Track.' The distribution of matchups through the AI-based draw system aims to set an even competitive tone in the initial rounds. Clubs will aim to deploy their enhanced rosters effectively in order to commence the season with results that reflect their aspirations.
Al Etihad
5 days ago
- Sport
- Al Etihad
UAE Pro League gala night celebrates top achievers
10 Aug 2025 22:06 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The UAE Pro League celebrated the stars of the 2024–2025 season in a dazzling evening at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi over the event was attended by Abdulla Al Jneibi, Chairman of the UAE Pro League, members of the Board of Directors, representatives of sponsor institutions, clubs, and a select group of sports and media figures."We move forward with one goal," said Al Jneibi, "working together in the service and elevation of our nation, with our motto being continuous progress, always supported by the wise leadership that has made the sons of this nation a priority in its national strategy."The winners of the 2024–2025 season awards were announced, covering three categories: statistics-based awards, fan-voted awards, and criteria-based Azmoum of Shabab Al Ahli won the Golden Ball award for Best Player, beating Mehdi Ghayedi of Kalba and Caio Lucas of Sharjah. Hamad Almeqbaali of Shabab Al Ahli claimed the Golden Glove award for Best Goalkeeper ahead of Ali Khaseif of Al Jazira and Adel Alhosani of Sousa of Shabab Al Ahli received the Leader award for Best Coach, surpassing Milos Milojevic of Al Wasl and Cosmin Olăroiu of Sharjah. Guilherme Da Silva of Shabab Al Ahli won the Golden Boy award for Best Player U23, ahead of Siaka Sidibe of Al Wasl and Brahima Diarra of Al Fekir of Al Jazira secured the Best Goal award, beating Soufian Rahimi of Al Ain and Omar Khribin of Al Wahda. Mohamed Elneny of Al Jazira won the Fans' Player of the Year award ahead of Lucas Pimenta of Al Wahda and Fabio De Lima of Al the statistics-based awards, Laba Kodjo of Al Ain received the Golden Shoe as top scorer of the ADNOC Pro League with 20 goals. Ramon Mierez of Al Jazira won the Golden Shoe for top scorer of the ADIB Cup with 5 goals, while Mansoor Saeed Al Menhali of Al Wahda took the Silver Shoe as top scorer of the Pro League Ain won the Fans League award, surpassing Al Jazira and Al Wasl, while Al Jazira claimed the Professional Excellence in Club Licensing award ahead of Al Ain and Al Wahda. Omar Al Obeidi won the Fantasy Manager of the Season another busy year gone by, the market value of UAE Pro League competitions together stands at an estimated Dh2.6 billion, with a total of 44 million hits in television views and 730 million views on the league's social media platforms collectively, revealed Al Jneibi while reflecting on the efforts made by the Pro also praised the support of the Pro League's strategic partners, the broadcast right holders, various media outlets, and the dedication of professional clubs and their loyal fans throughout the ceremony, presented by media personalities Mohamed Al Houti and Nada Al Shaibani, featured captivating stage performances that dazzled the attendees with their artistry, as well as a musical segment celebrating the cultural diversity and spirit of coexistence in the Al Jneibi in the awards presentations were board members Hassan Al Marri, Tariq Al Shabibi, Saeed Al Kaabi, and Mohamed Abu Zinjal Al League honoured its partners for their active role in supporting Emirati football. A special tribute was paid to veteran media figure Mohamed Najeeb in recognition of his long-standing service to the nation and Emirati sports were fun activities around the awards, such as an interactive "Seen Jeem" sports trivia station, a modern photo booth for club and team landmarks, a souvenir coin engraving corner, and a virtual reality zone offering exclusive match footage from multiple UAE Pro League Café hosted attendees, while a live English-language podcast was streamed via YouTube and TikTok, hosted by Omar Al Duri and Eisa Santo, featuring a number of football stars. TEAM OF THE YEAR: · Hamad Almeqbaali (Shabab Al Ahli, goalkeeper) · Marcos Meloni (Sharjah) · Mohamed Elneny (Al Jazira) · Lucas Pimenta (Al Wahda) · Ali Saleh (Al Wasl) · Mehdi Ghayedi (Kalba) · Caio Lucas (Sharjah) · Fabio Lima (Al Wasl) · Sardar Azmoum (Shabab Al Ahli) · Laba Kodjo (Al Ain) · Guilherme Da Silva (Shabab Al Ahli)
