Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ras Al Khaimah: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, the Crown Prince of the UAE's Ras Al Khaimah emirate, expressed his happiness at hosting the AFC U-19 Championship 2012 saying it shows the country's willingness to host such strong competitions.
"The UAE is always ready to host such competitions and I am happy that Ras Al Khaimah was chosen as the main venue of this tournament," said HH Sheikh Mohammed, pictured third left next to the UAE Football Association President Yousuf Al Serkal (fourth from left), who is also the AFC Vice-President and other dignitaries ahead of the UAE's match with Kuwait.
"I think hosting this tournament will also prove to be good preparation for the FIFA U-17 World Cup which the UAE will host next year."
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqer Al Qasimi, President of the Emirates Club where the matches of the competition are being played, said it was a great honour for his club to host such a prestigious tournament.
"This competition is the first official AFC event played in Ras Al Khaimah and we feel honoured to get the hosting rights," he said.
"I was very excited to see so many spectators today despite the fact that UAE Pro League's matches are being played at the same time when UAE under 19s took the field against Kuwait."