Etihad Airways to host Chelsea Football Club Soccer School in Abu Dhabi

Football-fever is set to hit Abu Dhabi in February when Etihad Airways will host the first-ever Middle East visit of the Chelsea Football Club Soccer Schools.

Etihad, the official airline of English premier league side Chelsea, is inviting Abu Dhabi school children to join the landmark event which takes place between 20 and 23 February at the capital city’s Zayed Sports City.

Four hundred boys and girls, aged between seven and 14, will take part in four days of top-level football training and specialist clinics led by members of Chelsea’s youth academy coaching staff and former players, Roberto Di Matteo and Graeme Le Saux.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ vice president marketing and product, said, “The visit of the Chelsea Soccer Schools will be a fantastic occasion for the hundreds of school children in Abu Dhabi who will learn many of the skills and techniques used by the likes of England football superstars John Terry and Frank Lampard.

“Football has a huge following in the UAE, particularly the English premier league, and we are delighted that through Etihad Airways’ close relationship with Chelsea Football Club we can bring their world-class coaching staff and former football stars to Abu Dhabi.”

Roberto Di Matteo, who won honours with the Italian national side as well as playing 175 games for West London-based Chelsea, said, “There is a massive appetite for football and the English premier league in the UAE and everyone at Chelsea is thrilled to help coach some of the brightest talents in the country.”

In addition to the partnership with Chelsea, Etihad Airways has signed an impressive portfolio of sports sponsorships in the last year. These include the title sponsorship of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and lead sponsor for London-based Harlequins Rugby Football Club.

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