The ‘Playmakers’ have collectively brought more than 500,000 people from different communities together over recent months, encouraging support for the biggest-ever Continental showpiece during the four-week tournament.

Spanning across Asia, from Jordan to Japan, Saudi Arabia to Korea Republic, more than 600 community ambassadors have been at work to spread the passion and excitement of football, which has seen large numbers of fans travel thousands of miles to showcase their support for their nations.

Celebrating the success of the Playmakers and their roles as community ambassadors, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) hosted the special awards ceremony on the popular fanzone at the Corniche, Abu Dhabi.

The Cheer campaign is an initiative of HRH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, the vice president of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, UAE Public Authority for Communications and the Asian Football Confederation for the visually impaired to enjoy and interact during matches.

Fifteen visually impaired fans attended the UAE's quarter-final with Australia at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain last Friday.

With the competition increasing from 32 to 51 matches, the team of volunteers has significantly grown too, more than tripling the number of those deployed previously in Australia 2015.

Throughout the tournament, the 5,000 recruited volunteers, aged between 16-84 years-old, work up to eight hours a day across key areas such as protocol, accreditation and marketing, with each individual bringing their unique personality, warmth and generosity to the event: “It’s my passion and I like to use my free time to help people and my country and to show myself that I can do it,” explained Noura Jamal, 27, from Abu Dhabi.

Her passion is so clear that she manages her six hours a day of volunteering alongside her full-time job in the UAE capital: “I actually still require clearance for all the hours that I have put in, although I have had my manager’s permission to leave as long as I go back to finish my work, so it’s long hours but I am happy and proud to have achieved my aim of volunteering every day.”

Against the backdrop of live football, five musicians took to the stage to play a wide variety of conventional Korean percussion instruments including a selection of leather drums, with the group’s leader also singing to create a celebratory atmosphere.

The performance, which is part of the AFC Asian Cup’s cultural programme, delighted the public and a group of football supporters who had gathered on the comfy bean bags, with many also choosing to take part in the various football activations that have been constructed for the tournament, like human table football, football darts and more.

With vivid whirling ribbons, elaborate movements and beautifully coloured costumes, the graceful performers offered a fascinating glimpse into an ancient culture through dance, before handing over to 10 Chinese children living in the UAE, who showcased well-practiced Kung Fu martial arts moves much to the delight of football fans.

The performances were part of a month-long cultural programme, bringing music, dance and culture to the AFC Asian Cup Fan Zone, which is also showing all the matches of the tournament live to supporters of all countries on a giant screen.

The group, comprising five drummers of Emirati and Japanese heritage, thrilled fans in the beachside location with a traditional taiko percussion that filled the air with a pulsating beat.

Speaking after the performance a member of the band, Tayammum Al Katheeri said: “Being an Emirati, a lot of people ask me how I am related to Japanese music and why I do it. It was my brother who initially introduced me and then I came across this group, which is cross cultural, and it has been the best thing ever since.”

“The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 is bringing people together from all over the world so what better way to showcase unity and togetherness through this music, which does exactly that,” he added.

Tayammum’s brother, Taryam, said Kharsha Drums aspires to promote a positive culture exchange between the UAE and Japan through their performance of the Japanese percussion art.

Four youngsters stepped up to showcase their musical ability on the beachside stage with the audience soaking up the chance to enjoy the magic of another culture against the backdrop of Asia’s biggest football tournament.

Sharing his insights, Dang Phuong Anh, one of the performing group’s members said: “I love playing music and doing it here in Abu Dhabi on the beach at this football fan zone is a great experience that me and my friends will never forget.”

Her music teacher Le Thanh Phuong added: “With football being played between 24 nations, we’re here to promote and teach people about Vietnamese culture. What better way to do that than through our music, which like football, is a great way to bring people together.”