Emirates Partners The Arsenal Soccer School To Hold A Master Class
With Mikael Silvestre
Released
on: October 14, 2009, 7:49 am
Author: Emirates Industry: Sports
Emirates
has partnered with the Arsenal Soccer School in Dubai to enable
pupils to shoot for the stars after being given a coaching master
class by Gunners defender Mikael Silvestre.
The
French international made a surprise visit to Emirates 7he Sevens
at the Arsenal
Soccer School Dubai during the first week of term to sign
autographs and help out with the training drills. The 32-year-old
gave advice to the aspiring footballers aiming to follow in his
footsteps and play in the English Premier League, and he sees
no reason why this can't happen. He said: "This is great
for the development of football in the UAE and a tremendous opportunity
for the children who live here.
"The aim of the school is to give kids the chance to learn
how to 'Play the Arsenal Way', the flowing, visionary style of
football which is the hallmark of Arsene Wenger. The boss is world-renowned
for his ability to nurture young talent and the coaching will
be based on the same principles that he teaches us in the first
team.
"With
this platform, there is every chance that a kid from this school
could become the first player from the Middle East to become an
English Premier League star."
One
pupil who is already on her way to the Premier League is Nina
Zammit Moore. The five-year-old, from Malta, and her father Jonathan
won a trip to the Emirates Stadium to see her heroes play Chelsea
on November 29, courtesy of the Emirates and Orbit Showtime competition.
Runner-up
in the competition was nine-year-old Daniel Clamens, who won a
free place on the school's second term, which gets under way on
4 January.
Limited
places are still available for the first 10-week term, with the
choice of one or two sessions a week. Each session is between
60 to 75 minutes in duration. The school is open to boys and girls,
with classes available in both Arabic and English. More than 1000
children - aged between five and 18 - will be trained each year.
The first 10-week term kicked off on 5 October.
In
addition to the children based in the UAE, Emirates will be opening
up the opportunity to youngsters from around the world. With non-stop
flights
to Dubai provided by Emirates from six continents, parents
will have the chance to relax while their kids enjoy coaching
classes at a magnificent training facility.
Arsenal has been operating soccer schools within the UK and globally
for more than 20 years and around 40,000 children have already
learned to Play the Arsenal Way
About
Emirates:
Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, is one of the
world's most successful and rapidly-expanding airlines. With a
focus on high quality service and industry-leading products, Emirates
Airlines has received more than 400 international awards and
accolades for excellence since its inception in 1985. Emirates
is currently the only airline to operate non-stop flights to six
continents from one hub.
In
2004, Emirates and Arsenal signed the biggest club sponsorship
in English football history. In addition to the Fly Emirates logo
on the players' shirts, Emirates also has naming rights of Arsenal's
home, Emirates Stadium. Elsewhere, the airline sponsors Paris
Saint-Germain Football Club, Hamburger SV, AC Milan and Olympiacos
FC. It is also the Official Sponsor and Airline of BEC Tero Sasana
from Thailand.
Emirates' affinity with football continues as it is an Official
Partner of the FIFA
World Cup and Official Airline and Partner of the Asian Football
Confederation. The airline is also heavily involved in rugby,
cricket, golf, horseracing, sailing and tennis.
Emirates
Media Contact:
Matt Howard
Emirates Corporate Communications
5th Floor
New EGHQ
Opposite DXB Airport
P O Box 686
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
(+9714) 708 3975 www.emirates.com