Dubai Football Challenge 2010 edition postponed to 2011: Organising Committee

Mr. Stuart Webb, Chairman of Footballs World Series, FIFA Agent, said the DFC 2010 has to be postponed as European teams which were meant to participate in the DFC expressed their inability to participate due to the decrease in their winter breaks from six weeks to three weeks ahead of the World Cup in June 2010.

For most of the football teams in Europe, the cut in winter break duration has put them in difficulties in taking part in overseas events.

Mr. Hamad bin Mejren, DTCM Executive Director, Business Tourism and Chairman of the Organising Committee, said the past three editions of the DFC have been an outstanding success in bringing leading football action to the emirate in addition to wider media exposure for Dubai as a preferred sporting destination.

The past editions of DFC have seen the participation of national football teams of the UAE, China and Iran as well as the world's renowned football clubs such as AC Milan, Vasco de Gama, Hamburg SV and VfB Stuttgart. The Hamburg team won the DFC twice, whilst AC Milan has won the title once.

He said the DFC had been successful in attracting world-famous football players such as Kaka Ronaldinho and Beckham to Dubai.

Mr. bin Mejren said DTCM will start making early preparations for the DFC 2011 which is hoping to see the participation of the UAE national team along with Europe's finest.

He said Dubai has remained a destination of choice for football clubs and their supporters for the winter breaks due to the excellent climate, air connectivity and sporting facilities.