Supporting TFA’s mission to identify local football talent and further develop players to the highest possible level, RAKTDA has become the youth team’s jersey sponsor and will support the squad through various initiatives throughout the year.

To celebrate the launch of the partnership, RAKTDA hosted 24 players and two Italian coaches from Capri F.C. for a January Training Camp in Ras Al Khaimah.

The weekend saw the under 18-year-old team undergoing four training sessions at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa, led by Capri’s Technical Director, Fabio Gozzi, and Alessandro Pasquail, who is also the former assistant director of the Syrian national team.

The two days concluded with a competitive match against Emirates Club, at the UAE side’s home stadium in RAK.

Haitham Mattar, CEO, RAKTDA, said: “Youth development and education is a key priority for His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi’s vision for Ras Al Khaimah’s progressive strategy and is an area that RAKTDA is committed to supporting through various engagement activities. Our sponsorship of The Football Academy underlines our commitment to supporting the ambitions of the UAE’s youth, as well as highlighting the state-of-the-art sporting facilities available in Ras Al Khaimah.”

RAKTDA’s Destination 2019 Tourism Strategy, launched in early 2016, encompasses a three-dimension approach to promoting Ras Al Khaimah beyond the traditional sun and sand leisure market.

As part of its strategy, RAKTDA is developing and hosting a range of sporting activities and events across the emirate to attract active adventurers.

A key feature of these developments has been the recent opening of the Via Ferrata on Jebel Jais, the region’s first commercial Via Feratta, and the successful hosting of the inaugural Ras Al Khaimah Golf Challenge 2016, the penultimate competition in the European Challenge Tour.