Takatof, Sanid volunteers lead UAE soccer fans at 21ST Gulf Cup of Nations final

For the first time ever, more than 200 volunteers of the Foundation's Takatof Programme for Social Volunteering, and the National Emergency Response Volunteer Programme (Sanid), will be welcoming, guiding and offering assistance at airports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Bahraini capital of Manama, ensuring smooth transit for the 7,000 UAE nationals expected to attend the event.

More volunteers will be at the stadium handing out tickets and national flags and generally supporting UAE fans in what is expected to be a thrilling crucial match against Iraq.

Registration for volunteers opened last Wednesday and the response, according to Emirates Foundation Chief Programmes Officer, Maytha Al Habsi, was immediate.

"The Takatof Programme took part in organising supporters at this final match in coordination with the UAE Football Association, based on the wide experience volunteers have gained in past years at major sporting events such as the FI, Club World Cup and the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix," Al Habsi explained.

"The UAE team's fans starred all through Khaleeji 21 matches as ardent supporters of their country's players. They deserve all forms of support for their efforts and this is what we are doing, by welcoming and guiding our beloved team's followers at the stadium," said Al Habsi.

This initiative by the Emirates Foundation for Youth Development is in line with the Foundation's mission to inspire and empower Emirati youth and help them to contribute to building a better and sustainable future for their homeland, she noted.