There’s still a few more days for young budding footballers to sign up for City Football School’s (CFS) coaching ses­sions with the new season getting underway in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, August 31.

As part of Manchester City’s coaching programme, CFS will help boys and girls improve their skills, build self-confidence, make new friends and work within a team.

Taking place at Zayed Sports City in the UAE capital, CFS’ fully-qualified coaches will teach the young players the same techniques taught at the EPL club – from the first team stars such as Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure to their youth team players.

The coaching sessions have proved to be a huge success with hundreds of players taking part in the last three seasons.

And Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini, who travelled with the squad to the capital in May days after their EPL triumph last season, was impressed with the coaching sessions.

The Chilean said: “The impor­tance of coaching starts at a young age and it is great the way these players in Abu Dhabi, both boys and girls, are being taught in the right way.”

The 60-year-old added: “What we must do as a club is make sure the same methods are used by eve­ryone and it is not just important what happens on the pitch but also what happens off it.

“Manchester City is now a global team and that strikes me when I see what is happening in Abu Dhabi with the young players coaching – it’s very satisfying.”

And French attacking midfielder Samir Nasri, echoed his manager’s view.

The 27-year-old said: “Football is very much about passion and I see that with the young players and fans in Abu Dhabi.

“The game has always been popular in the Middle East but I really see that the new emerging players are taking the standards higher and it is only going to get better from here.”

Open to boys and girls between five and 16 years of age, CFS pro­vides various sessions to choose from. For once a week sessions, a seven-week term will cost Dh1,440, while two terms (14 weeks) is Dh2,445. A full season, lasting 34 weeks, will set you back Dh5,430. For twice a week sessions, one term costs Dh2,735, and two terms is Dh4,890, while the full season is Dh10,300.

The one-and-a-half hour ses­sions begin at 16:30 or 18:00, depending on the children’s age, with all coaching sessions taking place at the indoor facility at First Gulf Bank Arena during the first term, with outdoor training set to resume in term two.

What: City Football School coach­ing sessions
Where: First Gulf Bank Arena (first term), Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi
When: From Sunday, August 31
Contact: To register, visit the Cit­yStore in Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi (first floor – next to Paris Gallery) or for more information visit www.cityfootballschools.mcfc.co.uk