The Football Experience offers football activities for the community Part of ongoing campaign to attract more UAE youth to the sport

Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) has launched the Football Experience at Abu Dhabi’s Marina Mall – a football activity zone featuring a range of activities to promote wider involvement in football in the lead up to the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009.

The Football Experience, which is open free of charge from 4pm to 10pm every day until 20 December 2009, will feature a range of activities and attractions for all ages including:

• The Speed Shot to increase your kicking speed and power
• The Precision Shot to put your aiming skills to the test
• Reaction tests to measure your hand-eye coordination and reflexes
• Football freestylers to demonstrate the latest moves and pass on some of their expertise to children
• UAEFA coaches and players to provide beginners with expert advice to develop and refine their skills

The Football Experience is part of a number of activities Mubadala is sponsoring to ensure the wider community gets involved in the excitement in the lead up to Abu Dhabi’s biggest football event.

In October this year Mubadala announced its sponsorship of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009 and 2010, and the UAE Football Association’s (UAEFA) national teams. In line with Mubadala’s mission to facilitate the growth and development of Abu Dhabi’s community and economy, Mubadala aims to deliver long-term tangible benefits for the sport and the wider UAE community through its involvement in football.

“Mubadala is committed to developing talent at a grass roots level, starting with our nation’s youth,” said Sultan Rashed Al Damarki, Senior Officer at Mubadala, responsible for the football sponsorships.

“By working closely with the Local Organising Committee of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE and the UAEFA, we are hoping to inspire greater participation in football – a sport that encourages important qualities such as team work, encouragement and commitment.”

“It’s also about building an active and healthy community, and we are involved on a wider scale to develop the long-term infrastructure to support this aim, such as the world-class football facilities at Zayed Sports City,” he continued.

“Activities like this are a great way to get children excited about a new sport in a fun environment,” said Srečko Katanec, UAEFA National Coach. “Having players and coaches on hand to offer encouragement and support gives children the confidence they need to learn a new skill.”

Notes to Editors

About Mubadala Development Company

Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) is a catalyst for the economic diversification of Abu Dhabi. Established and owned by the Government, the company’s strategy is built on the management of partnerships and long-term, capital-intensive investments that deliver strong financial returns and tangible social benefits for the Emirate, and contribute to the growth and diversification of the Abu Dhabi economy.

Mubadala brings together and manages a multi-billion dollar portfolio of local, regional, and international investments and partners with leading global organizations to operate businesses across a wide range of industry sectors including aerospace, energy and industry, healthcare, information communications and technology, infrastructure, real estate and hospitality. For more information about Mubadala please visit http://www.mubadala.ae.