In an unprecedented step, the UAE Football Association (UAEFA), in cooperation with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), has signed an agreement with the Brazilian channel, BandSports, to broadcast the final match of the UAE President’s Cup, which will be held between Al Wahda and Sharjah teams next Friday, 21st October, at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.
BandSports, which is affiliated with Rede Bandeirantes, one of the largest media networks in the Latin American continent, will broadcast the match through an analytical studio and accompanying programmes, through which it will shed light on Emirati football in general, and the President's Cup final in particular.
Mohammed Abdullah Hazzam Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the UAEFA, hailed the great role played by WAM and emphasised that cooperation with this national media organisation has a positive impact on sports, especially football, as WAM is characterised by its rich and diverse initiatives.
He added that WAM has wide international relations, and that they "value its efforts and cooperation with the UAE Football Association across all football occasions and events, and the cooperation between our two institutions will continue".
Al Dhaheri stated, “The President’s Cup final match will have unprecedented media attention, as it will be broadcast live in the continent of South America, especially Brazil, which is represented by eight players, who play for the Sharjah and Al Wahda teams. The live broadcast is the fruit of joint cooperation between the UAE Football Association and the Emirates News Agency, which has international media cooperation agreements.”
He also stressed that the presence of four Brazilian players in the Sharjah and Al Wahda teams will draw the attention of football fans in Brazil, a mine of football stars and talents, while the event will help deliver numerous Emirati messages that promote peace, compassion, coexistence, and solidarity.
Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of WAM, affirmed that, in the past period, UAE-Brazilian relations have witnessed a notable development and tremendous momentum in all fields, which WAM leveraged to establish partnerships and sign agreements with many media institutions in Brazil for the benefit of the two countries.
Al Rayssi added that according to these agreements there are programmatic time spaces dedicated to the UAE on a weekly basis in Brazil, which would enhance the country’s stature abroad, shedding light on its exceptional experiences and initiatives in all fields.
The WAM Director-General praised the constructive cooperation with the UAEFA, headed by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, which had resulted in the success of several initiatives. He noted that WAM hones all its capabilities in service of the distinctive the programmes and initiatives of the UAEFA and all other sports federations in the country. It works with a fixed strategy to invest the successes of the sports sector in enriching the Emirati development and cultural experience as well as highlight it in various friendly media platforms, he explained.
He added, “Sport is an important public sector, and football is the first popular game in the world, as it has its own peculiarity in Brazil and the UAE. Brazil is one of the most prominent countries in the world that brings talented footballers, stars, and distinguished players to all football leagues globally, and the UAE has distinguished professional experience in developing and promoting the game, and organising and hosting major continental and international events."
He indicated that the UAE's clubs have recruited many distinguished Brazilian players to support its experience in developing local competitions, which ultimately reflects positively on its national team.
The past few days witnessed holding coordination meetings that brought together the media work team of the UAE Football Association with officials of the Emirates News Agency and the Brazilian channel.
During the meetings, all technical aspects related to broadcasting the match, as well as information related to the final were discussed.