DUBAI: The inaugural edition of the Dubai Challenge Cup 2024 kicking off on Friday night would continue to feature some of the best teams in the world in years to come, the organizers said on Thursday.
This year’s tournament has Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, Morocco’s Raja Casablanca, China’s Wuhan Three Towns, and Egypt’s Zamalek SC taking part at Al-Maktoum Stadium.
A collaboration between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the Dubai Sports Council, and Gallop Global, the event will run until Jan. 28.
Friday’s opening match pits 14-time Egyptian champions Zamalek against Raja, the three-time African Champions and eight-time winners of the Moroccan Cup, while the following evening will see Al-Ahli take on Wuhan. Sunday will start with a third-place play-off at 4 p.m. (UAE time) followed by the final at 8 p.m.
In his address at the pre-tournament news conference on Thursday, which had former Liverpool star and current Al-Ahli forward Roberto Firmino among the attendees, Saeed Hareb, secretary-general of the Dubai Sports Council, remarked: “Dubai has solidified its status as a preferred destination for leading international teams, attracting them for training camps and participation in tournaments of this caliber annually.
“Our objective is to foster the growth of football, strengthen collaboration between local and international clubs, and offer fans of diverse nationalities the opportunity to immerse themselves in the spirited atmosphere of competitive matches while passionately supporting their teams. With Dubai being home to over 200 nationalities, we are committed to providing this annual platform for fans to follow their favorite teams.”
He highlighted the success of last year’s Dubai Super Cup, which featured powerhouse European clubs Liverpool, Arsenal, Lyon, and AC Milan, as a foundation for the Dubai Challenge Cup to build on.
Conceived as an annual event on Dubai’s winter sporting calendar, the tournament will bring major teams from Africa and Asia to the emirate where they can benefit from favorable weather, sporting infrastructure, and competitive matches against other teams from around the world.
Abdullah Salem bin Touq, chairman of the board of Al-Nasr Football Co., said: “We take pride in hosting this tournament at Al-Maktoum Stadium, an exceptional destination of sport and architecture, serving as a gathering point for the world’s most prominent clubs and a spot that captivates sports enthusiasts.”
“We eagerly anticipate welcoming thousands of fans from our brotherly Arab nations and our friends in China. Equipped with the necessary capabilities, expertise, and experiences, we are poised to elevate Dubai’s events to unprecedented levels of excellence.
“Our commitment is to create an atmosphere that allows the audience to relish the matches, and we are confident that the participating teams will deliver performances befitting their heritage and vast fan base, transforming the event into an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.”
