The uniquely unifying power of sport was out in full force at Expo 2020 Dubai’s Sports, Fitness and Wellbeing Hub on Tuesday (29 March) with the inaugural Abraham Accords Games welcoming some of the biggest names in football in a historic match.
Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and in partnership with the UAE Football Association, a friendly was staged between international legends and the cream of the Middle East’s players.
Demonstrating that football well and truly is the beautiful game, the first-of-its kind event gave new meaning to the term ‘change the narrative to change the world,’ with the Abraham Accords team made up of Bahraini, Israeli and UAE players, while the World Classic team sported huge international stars including Brazilian attacking mid-fielder Ricardo Kaká; ‘the little rabbit from Argentina,’ Javier Saviola; Barcelona legend, Carles Puyol; and Clarence Seedorf who holds the honour of holding four Champions League titles with four different clubs.
With a temporary 500-seater grandstand installed on the basketball court to make an arena, football fans, VIP guests and dignitaries turned out in their droves to cheer the players on.
Ahead of the game, Yehiel Moshe ‘Hili’ Tropper, Israel’s Minister for Culture and Sports, said: “This event is helping to build a bridge between two nations and I am very happy to be here and to see the beginning of a real relationship between the two countries. I hope this event we started here will continue every year. I am dreaming that we will do big things together. I believe that people open their hearts through sport.”
Tal Ben Haim, who played for Israel and Bolton Wanderers, and who was the indisputable star of the Abraham Accords team on the day, said: “This is an amazing event. The leaders of the UAE and Israel have made peace. When you play a game like football it’s not important where you come from, and I can’t wait to play with my colleagues from across the Middle East.”
Player of the match, Robert Pires, of France and Arsenal fame, who outdid himself – and everyone else on the pitch – by scoring four goals, said: “I am very proud to be part of this event. This is a huge World Expo which has staged many great events, and today is going to be a lot of fun for the players and the spectators.”
Spanish player Michel Salgado said: “After everything the world has been through with the pandemic, the UAE is the only country who could have achieved a World Expo like this, and something of this magnitude. This match is a great way to get back on the pitch; it’s about unity, and bringing different countries together.”
Bacary Sagna – who played for France and Arsenal – said: “No matter religion or skin colour, we are all united and have a common goal: peace. Today’s event is a fantastic one which can only benefit people in showing how we can all live together.”
One of the most successful players in UEFA Champions League history, Clarence Seedorf said: “It’s great to be involved in such a positive initiative. At the moment I am also creating nice opportunities in Dubai to improve entertainment and sports for kids.”
Emirati footballer Bakheet Saad Mubarak, who represented the UAE at the 1996 AFC Asian Cup, said: “I am really happy that our country is hosting the World Expo. I am so happy to see the community come out today to support us. I am playing with footballers I used to watch on TV; Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE has made this happen!”
The game itself was fun and fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns, but while the Abraham Accords team held their own in the first quarter, the final score was 13-4 to the World Classic team. For the delighted fans everyone was a winner, with the players good-naturedly posing for plenty of selfies, as well as taking the time to sign shirts and Expo 2020 Dubai passports.
(Subcribe to BritishHerald : VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY – A CONTEMPORARY HERO)
