Athletes stressed the importance of the second and third division league competitions, which were introduced by the Football Association three seasons ago, considering that the two championships have become a station for attracting national talents who do not find an opportunity to play in the “professionals”, and also a means of marketing foreign players coming from outside the country, and distributing them to the two arenas. Local and foreign. They also enhance the continuity of the success of the First Division, Professional League and other tournaments, in addition to being a new space for the national coach.
Speaking to Emirates Today, the athletes said that the success of the two tournaments requires the availability of good stadiums for the clubs that participate in them, and ensuring that an environment is provided for players in all fields, because they have become an important space for the development of Emirates football, provided that the regulations are strengthened and the organizational side is supported to secure the targeted success.
It is noteworthy that the second division league includes 15 teams, and is currently led by Al-Ettifaq and City, while the third division includes 18 teams, led by Dibba Al-Fujairah.
The Football Association allowed clubs that participate in other competitions to participate in the second and third division leagues, which contributes to increasing the number of clubs, tournaments and matches, and is reflected in the development of Emirati football.
An opportunity for reserve players
The former coach of Al Dhaid Club, Mohammed Al Tunaiji, described the existence of two championships for the second and third division leagues as enhancing the technical and organizational stability of the first division league, and restoring hope to many players locked in the reserve bench, to participate in official matches, stressing that the two competitions need to be supported by regulations that enhance sustainability, including the presence Match observers to supervise them, in addition to holding matches in approved stadiums that have acceptable technical specifications, while obligating clubs to provide good dressing rooms for players.
Al-Tunaiji told Emirates Today: “Organizing the two competitions contributes to providing support for the rest of the competitions, including (the reserve) and (the youth), as it ensures the continued presence of players with the teams as they age, which supports Emirati football, especially since they contributed to activating the system. Ups and downs, which in turn strengthened the competition until the final rounds.”
He added: “The two new tournaments are an opportunity to market players coming from outside the country, or talented national players who do not have a full opportunity to play to maintain their technical skills.”
He continued: “The Football Association is keen on the success of the two competitions, especially with its allocation of good stadium judges, which is an important matter that precedes success, and our ambition is for the two competitions to be supported more at the organizational level, and to invest all the positive elements to expand the football base in the country.”
Need to support regulations
In turn, the former coach and international lecturer at the Football Association, Omar Al-Hammadi, confirmed that the success of organizing the second and third division league competitions requires strengthening the current technical and administrative regulations, to support the current positive gains and reduce the challenges, as this will bring it closer to the rest of the leagues, especially since many Of his players are coming from the professional league or the first division league seeking to participate in matches, and to maintain technical flexibility and physical fitness, after they lost the opportunity to play adequately, indicating that supporting competitions with added regulations will enhance the value of Emirati football internationally and locally, given that the largest percentage of players Expatriates.
Al-Hammadi said: “We hope that one of the regulations will impose a specific and good number for the participation of national players in the starting lineup, such as a minimum of six players, and also that the training mission be specific to national coaches, and that the participation of foreign players be limited to a specific percentage, and that we find support from The media should play its role more, expressing his confidence that these two competitions will become distinguished in the coming years and support success.”
He added: “Many teams need good stadiums, so we hope that they will receive support for using the Football Association’s stadiums, or that they will receive a share of the support and sponsorship of the big clubs by using their stadiums.”
An experience worthy of attention
The former national team and Al-Shaab Club player, Ammar Al-Doukhi, described holding the second and third division league competitions as an experience that deserves attention, patience, and support from the sports family, as well as the Football Association, to make it a success, pointing out that it is followed in the most prominent countries in the world, and that it has contributed to supporting the development of its teams. Therefore, it is important to be patient until its positives are harvested.
Al-Dokhi said: “The second and third division leagues are a new experience, and one must be patient with it.” He added: “Organizing the two tournaments opens the way for new opportunities for national players and coaches, to have their chance to play or train, and another valuable opportunity to bring in football talents coming from outside the Emirates, and market them to play in various leagues, or later transfer them to play in other leagues from the Emirates.”
The most prominent benefits of the “second and third” championships
. It restored hope to many of the players locked on the bench.
. They contribute to supporting and continuing the success of the rest of the competitions.
. A space for talented national players who do not have the opportunity to play.
. Marketing foreign players from outside the country.
The most important needs of the two competitions
. It needs to be supported by regulations that enhance sustainability, including the presence of match observers.
. Holding matches in approved stadiums with acceptable technical specifications.
. There is a need for regulations, including imposing a specific number of citizens’ participation.
. They need support from the media, and many teams need stadiums.
. .