Sheikh Rashid bin Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Digital Department, and Sheikh Humaid bin Abdulaziz bin Humaid Al Nuaimi attended the closing of the ninth edition of the Gulf Academies Football Festival "Khalijiya Quatro", organised by the Quatro Sports Centre in Ajman over 7 days, with the participation of 20 teams from 6 Gulf countries competing across three age categories — under-12, under-14, and under-16 — in a sporting atmosphere that reflected the tournament's growing stature among Gulf academies.
The tournament, which has become a prominent annual fixture for discovering and developing football talent, proved its success in bringing together an elite group of Gulf academies and providing a competitive environment that contributes to player development and promotes sporting exchange between countries of the region.
The competition showcased strong technical levels throughout. The UAE's "Euro" Academy claimed the under-12 title after defeating Kuwait's "Seventeen Four" Academy on penalties, while the UAE's "Al Ain Club" Academy won the under-14 category after beating Oman's "Smart" Academy, also on penalties. The UAE's "Argentine Academy", led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Ammar Al Nuaimi, secured the under-16 title with a 1-0 victory over the UAE's "Al Seeb Club" Academy, having delivered a distinguished performance throughout the tournament.
The under-16 final was attended by Ahmed Al Raeesi, Chairman of the Festival's Supreme Organising Committee, alongside representatives of the sponsors, including Abdullah Al Abdouli representing the Ajman Department of Tourism, Culture and Media, Sami Ali representing Al Ihsan Charity Association, Abdullah Jaber, Executive Director of the Lavish Perfumes Group, and Ahmed Al Saadi, Chairman of the Board of Hasen Rydan restaurant, in addition to a number of officials, representatives of supporting entities, and athletes.
The closing ceremony included the crowning of the winning teams in first place, as well as the honouring of outstanding achievers among players, technical staff, and administration through individual awards designated for each age category, in recognition of the notable performances they delivered throughout the competition.
A number of former Gulf football stars were also honoured in recognition of their contributions and sporting careers: Captain Hammoud Sultan, former goalkeeper of the Bahrain national team; Captain Badr Hajji, a former star of the Kuwait national team; and Captain Nour Sabri, former goalkeeper of the Iraq national team. Saudi content creator Hassan Abdulaziz "Bu Mashaael" was also honoured.
The ninth edition of the festival concluded to widespread praise for the technical and organisational level of the competition, as the festival continued to consolidate its position as one of the most prominent Gulf tournaments dedicated to football academies. It did so by providing a competitive platform that contributes to discovering and developing promising talent, and strengthening the bonds of cooperation and sporting communication between academies and Gulf Cooperation Council member states, in support of the development of youth football across the region.