CHELSEA FOOTBALL STAR COACHES LOCAL CHILDREN



Shaun Wright-Phillips, the ex-Chelsea and England football star, has been passing on some of his silky soccer skills to local children in Abu Dhabi.

Wright-Phillips hosted a football clinic for a group of children at the Emirates Palace hotel courteous of Etihad Airways, platinum partner of Chelsea FC.

The children were treated to an array of footballing tips which included trying to master Shaun’s lightening quick dribbling and shooting techniques. The clinic concluded with a special match with Shaun coaching and encouraging the children.

Shaun said: “This is my first visit to Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways and it has been a fantastic experience to play football in such a wonderful location at Emirates Palace. There is clearly a huge appetite for football in the UAE and I am thrilled to have helped train some of the Emirati youngsters.”

Etihad Airways began its partnership with Chelsea in September 2007 and has seen the airline host the inaugural Chelsea Soccer Schools February 2008 as well as bringing current and former players out to the UAE’s capital.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ executive vice president marketing and product, said: “Etihad Airways is proud to once again host the biggest names in sport here in Abu Dhabi and at the same time boost our strong partnership with Chelsea FC.

“Shaun is a fantastic player and a great inspiration for the children who took part in the football clinic. Who knows they may one day go on to be Chelsea’s first Emirati player?”


ENGLISH PREMIER FOOTBALL COMES TO 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.”

Peter Kenyon, Chelsea’s chief executive, said: “Chelsea Football Club places huge importance on our youth and community work and the soccer schools are a major part of fulfilling these ambitions.

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.

Etihad was also a diamond sponsor for the annual European Tour Abu Dhabi Golf Championships which was held last week and won by Germany’s rising star Martin Kaymer.

Etihad is being supported by Mubadala the Abu Dhabi Hilton for the visit of the Chelsea Soccer Schools.

About Chelsea
Chelsea has been the most successful club in English football during the last three seasons winning six trophies including two Premiership titles, two Carling Cups and the FA Cup.

For further details visit www.chelseafc.com