Videos Live Scores Podcasts Opinion Interviews Business of Sport Inside Story Football Cricket Tennis Formula One Golf NBA UFC UAE Racquet Sports Fitness

UAE’s street footballers risk everything at Nike event

Sport360 staff

17:24 23/05/2014

Eight teams made up of the UAE’s most talented street football players last night took to an especially built pitch at Burj Park, Downtown Dubai to battle it out in a bid to be dubbed the city's finest.

With the tallest building in the world serving as a backdrop, teams went head-to-head to be crowned the ultimate UAE street players.

The knock-out tournament inspired by the “Risk everything” campaign is hosted in 29 cities around the world with the final battles taking place at unexpected pop-up locations.

Nike customised the rules of the classic winner stays on pick-up game format to encourage the teams to play with flair and take risks, with the team that concedes a goal losing a player. 

Teams are encouraged to play open-minded, less-structured football, and the next team to score is named the winner who remains on the pitch for the next battle.

“We connect to players’ passion for the game, whether it is the world’s best in Brasil or players in the park or street. We believe in fearless, exciting joyful football and that’s the point of view we want to get across," said Nike Chief Marketing Officer Davide Grasso on the occasion of the “Winner stays” film launch.

Fabio Cannavaro, assistant coach of Al Ahli club and global football legend, joined the players for the final games and awards ceremony.

“It is always inspiring to see young players’ talent and passion for the game. They had a fantastic experience enjoying football in its finest form and having so many eyes on them,” said Cannavaro.

Winning team, Maysaloon, was rewarded with the title of the best in Dubai and becoming the first owners of the newest Nike Magista boots in the region.

The Sharjah side beat The Lions of Al Yahar 6-1 in the final of the competition. 

More from uae-football

dentsu Sports International launches in the Middle East and North Africa

ONE Championship determined to help grow martial arts in MENA following Qatar success 

 “Where there’s a ball, there’s a Pepsi” campaign brings football fans closer to the action in Saudi Arabia and beyond

Jr. NBA Abu Dhabi League wraps up 2024 season with spectacular finals attended by Julius Erving and Jason Williams

SPIA 2024 winners awarded at gala ceremony in Atlantis, The Palm

ONE 166: Qatar ‘exceeded all expectations’ says Group President, next event already in the works 

Most Popular