Author: Altayeb Ali

Petrović: The match against Al Jazira is difficul, but not impossible.

Al Dhafra Club’s Montenegrin coach Željko Petrović, head coach of the first football team at Al Dhafra FC, stressed the difficulty of the upcoming match against Al Jazira Club in Round 19 of the UAE Pro League, while noting that achieving a positive result is not impossible.

His remarks came during the pre-match press conference held on Sunday evening at the press conference hall of Hamad bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium in Madinat Zayed, in the presence of the team’s Brazilian player Gibson Souza.

Petrović explained that Al Jazira’s strength and position among the league’s top teams make the match a difficult one. However, he stressed that securing a positive result is not impossible and confirmed that the team has prepared well for the game over the past few days.

The Montenegrin coach added that facing a team of Al Jazira’s stature requires a fighting performance on the pitch, urging his players to act like soldiers on the field.

Petrović also revealed that his team urgently needs points at this stage to strengthen its chances of remaining in the professional league. He confirmed that Al Dhafra will enter the match aiming for a positive result, unlike some previous periods when the team played without such pressure.

The Al Dhafra coach noted that he has not yet finalized the defensive lineup, explaining that the decision will be made in the coming hours, while affirming that the team is ready in all aspects for the match.

In conclusion, Petrović expressed his confidence in his players and their ability to deliver a strong performance despite the difficulty of the challenge and the strength of the opponent.

For his part, Brazilian player Gibson Souza of Al Dhafra confirmed that the match will not be easy, expecting a strong encounter against Al Jazira, but he expressed the players’ confidence in their ability to achieve a positive result.

Souza also called on Al Dhafra fans to attend the match at Hamad bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium in Madinat Zayed to support the team and encourage the players during the game

Al Dhafra Sports Club Concludes Its Ramadan Tournament in Al-Sila’a city with an Exciting Finale Featuring Six Sports Competitions

Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship, organized by Al Dhafra Sports Club, concluded yesterday evening in the city of Al Sila, amid a festive sporting atmosphere and remarkable attendance from residents. The tournament witnessed wide participation from teams and players across six diverse sports competitions, including football for seniors and juniors, volleyball, padel, and running, as well as a Baloot card tournament, reflecting the championship’s commitment to providing sporting and community activities that engage all age groups during the holy month of Ramadan.

In the senior football category, the final saw a strong clash between Gaga and Al Sila Sports Club. Gaga dominated the match and delivered an impressive performance, securing a 2-0 victory to claim the championship title, much to the delight of their players and fans.

In the junior football category, the final featured a competitive and spirited match between Asia Champions and Al Fursan. Al Fursan managed to win the match 1-0, taking home the championship title after displaying a strong performance and high fighting spirit throughout the game.

In the volleyball competition, the final saw a matchup between Sina‘iat Al Sila and Baynounah. Both teams performed strongly, but Sina‘iat Al Sila won two sets to none, earning the tournament title with full merit.

The Baloot tournament, which attracted wide participation from fans of this popular card game, concluded with Al Shabhanah defeating Atwi in the final. The match was marked by focus and skill, allowing Al Shabhanah to secure the championship amid an enthusiastic atmosphere.

In the padel competition, the final featured a strong contest between Zayed and Yas. Zayed delivered an outstanding performance that enabled them to win the match and claim the tournament title.

The running race, held as part of the championship, included participation from athletes and amateurs of all ages. The race reflected the spirit of challenge and determination among participants and contributed to promoting community sports culture and encouraging physical activity among residents.

The conclusion of the championship in Al Sila confirms the great success of the Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship this year, through the diversity of sports competitions and the large turnout of players and spectators. The event highlights its role in promoting community sports, instilling fair competition values, and fostering unity among the people of the Al Dhafra region during the holy month of Ramadan.

Al Dhafra Sports Club Concludes Its Ramadan Tournament in Al-Dhannah with 100 Teams Competing Across Five Sports Games

Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship concluded yesterday evening in Al Dhanna, organized by Al Dhafra Sports Club amid an enthusiastic atmosphere and wide participation, with approximately 100 sports teams competing across several disciplines, including senior and junior football, volleyball, basketball, and mixed badminton. The event attracted a large crowd and strong engagement from the local community, highlighting its role as a major community sports initiative.

Over the course of the tournament, the competitions showcased strong matches, marked by high competitiveness, excitement, and determination to win titles. The level of technical skill displayed by the participating teams and players provided entertaining and high-quality sporting action for the audience.

In the senior football category, Burooj claimed the championship after a dominant performance in the final, defeating Brimel 5-1. Burooj controlled the match, capitalizing effectively on attacking opportunities to secure the title with clear merit.

In the junior football category, Titans emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Laskar. The team demonstrated high technical skills and tactical discipline, successfully imposing their rhythm on the game to earn the championship.

In volleyball, Al Dhanna Falcons took the top spot after a thrilling 3-1 victory over Gorha Warriors in the final. The match was marked by excitement and strong competitive spirit, with Falcons ultimately winning thanks to the experience and powerful attacks of their players.

In basketball, Tamaro won the championship after a commanding 72-56 victory over Gankum. Tamaro displayed excellent teamwork and controlled most of the match to secure the title convincingly.

The mixed badminton competition also provided exciting contests, with iBL winning the championship after a strong performance that confirmed their superiority in the sport.

The tournament saw remarkable attendance from the residents of Al Dhanna, who closely followed the matches and enthusiastically supported the participating teams, reflecting the event’s importance in promoting sportsmanship and community engagement during Ramadan.

This championship is part of the Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship series, organized by Al Dhafra Sports Club across different cities in the region, aiming to promote sports culture, encourage community members to practice sports, and discover and develop athletic talents across various disciplines.

At the conclusion of the tournament, the winning teams were awarded trophies and medals amid a festive atmosphere, highlighting the event’s great success and solidifying its position as one of the most prominent Ramadan sports events in the Al Dhafra region.

Grand Finale and Intense Competitions at Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship in Ghiyathi City

Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship 2026, organized by Al Dhafra Sports Club, concluded on Wednesday evening in the city of Ghayathi, featuring a vibrant sporting atmosphere and broad participation across all age groups. The championship included eight diverse sports competitions for men, women, and youth, creating a major sporting and community event that reflected the spirit of competition and unity among the region’s residents during the holy month of Ramadan.

The championship featured football for seniors and juniors, men’s and women’s padel, volleyball, swimming, and running races for various age groups. The events attracted a large number of athletes, amateurs, and sports enthusiasts, alongside enthusiastic spectators who followed the competitions closely, particularly during the final rounds.

Football Highlights

In the senior football tournament, teams displayed strong technical skills and intense competition throughout the championship. The final showdown featured Ghayathi East and Prime Fitness, drawing a large crowd of football fans. Ghayathi East dominated the match and claimed the title with a 3–0 victory, celebrating the championship triumph with their players and supporters.

In the junior football category, Dream emerged as champions after a standout performance, defeating Fursan Ghayathi 2–0, confirming their strength among the youth teams and securing the championship trophy.

Volleyball and Padel Competitions

The volleyball tournament witnessed intense matches, culminating in Terad Volleyball Team winning the title after defeating ADNOC in the final. The match showcased high-level skills and thrilling gameplay.

In the men’s padel tournament, Al Qurm claimed first place after an impressive performance, while ASM Team finished in second place following a strong run in the competition.

The women’s padel championship saw Amira Team lift the trophy after a hard-fought final against Tera Team. The match was marked by competitiveness and teamwork, with Amira Team prevailing thanks to excellent coordination and focus, earning praise from the audience for the high-quality level of play.

Swimming and Running

The championship also featured swimming and running races for all age categories, attracting wide participation from athletes and enthusiasts. These events added an energetic and communal atmosphere to the championship, reflecting its aim to promote sports activity and foster a culture of physical fitness within the community.

Organizing the Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship in Ghayathi is part of a series of sporting events conducted by Al Dhafra Sports Club across the cities of the Al Dhafra region during Ramadan. The championship aims to promote community sports, discover athletic talent, and create a competitive and entertaining environment that brings together all segments of society. Over the years, it has become a signature annual event on the region’s Ramadan calendar.

Al Dhafra Ramadan Jiu-Jitsu Championship with Participation of 70 Athletes from Various Nationalities

More Than 4,000 Players Ignite Competition at Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship

Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship 2026, organized by Al Dhafra Sports Club, continues to deliver exciting action amid a vibrant competitive atmosphere and strong fan attendance across the cities of the Al Dhafra Region. The tournaments have now entered their decisive stages as champions of the various competitions begin to emerge.

The competitions have witnessed intense action as they progress into the advanced rounds, with thrilling contests continuing in football, volleyball, basketball, padel, Baloot, jiu-jitsu, cricket, and junior football. Participants have displayed closely matched technical levels and a high competitive spirit. Meanwhile, running races for all age groups have attracted wide participation, reflecting the community’s growing interest in sport as a way of life. Women’s competitions have also stood out, including badminton (mixed and women’s), women’s padel, women’s swimming, and women’s jiu-jitsu, highlighting the strong presence of female athletes in the championship.

In Madinat Zayed, fans are eagerly awaiting the final of the volleyball competition after Arada and Al Dhafra B secured their places in the final following a series of exciting and competitive matches. Both teams delivered impressive performances that reflected the development of the sport in the region, with strong crowd support expected for what promises to be one of the most exciting finals of this year’s championship.

Volleyball competitions are also continuing in other cities to determine the top positions.

In the football competition, the battle is intensifying among more than 70 teams representing the six cities of Al Dhafra: Madinat Zayed, Al Sila, Ghayathi, Al Dhannah, Al Mirfa, and Dalma Island. The matches are being played in a league format, adding a growing level of excitement with each round.

The matches have produced closely contested performances and several major surprises that eliminated a number of the tournament’s favorites. Attention is now turning to the determination of the semifinalists who will compete for the championship title in an exceptional fan atmosphere that highlights the event’s status as the largest Ramadan sporting festival in the region.

In the youth category, the teams of Fursan Ghayathi and Dream have reached the final in Ghayathi after delivering strong performances, setting up an anticipated showdown expected to bring plenty of excitement, particularly with the enthusiastic support of local fans, which adds a strong community dimension to the competition.

Sports venues and halls across the cities of Al Dhafra have transformed into daily celebrations of sport, with families and fans flocking to watch the competitions in a scene that reflects the tournament’s successful organization and its strong community spirit. The championship has evolved beyond being just a sports competition, becoming a complete Ramadan festival that combines sport, entertainment, and the spirit of the holy month.

The Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship 2026 has achieved exceptional success this year in terms of participation numbers, organizational standards, and fan attendance.

The tournament has attracted more than 4,000 male and female players across 1,230 teams participating in the various competitions across the six cities of Al Dhafra. This figure reflects the strong confidence the championship enjoys and the status it has reached as a comprehensive sporting and community event serving all segments of society.

Al Dhafra Sports Club confirmed that the large turnout reflects the success of the club’s vision to transform the championship into an integrated sports platform that combines fair competition with the spirit of Ramadan. The club also emphasized that efforts will continue to further develop the event year after year in line with the aspirations of the region’s community.

The club concluded by stressing that this success is the result of the unlimited support enjoyed by sports in the Al Dhafra Region, along with the collective efforts of the organizing committees, volunteers, and sponsors, in addition to the active community role played by fans in making the event a success.

Al Dhafra 1 – 1 Ittihad Kalba

Al Dhafra  held to a 1–1 draw against their hosts Ittihad Kalba in the match that took place on Thursday evening, Feb. 26 at Kalba Stadium, as part of Round 18 of the ADNOC Pro League.

The encounter was characterized by caution and competitiveness, particularly during the first half, which saw a balanced performance from both sides. Play was mostly concentrated in midfield, with limited attempts on goal. Al Dhafra tried on several occasions to threaten Kalba’s goal, but the final touch lacked precision, while the team also struggled to break through the opponent’s compact defensive setup. The first half eventually ended in a goalless draw.

At the start of the second half, Al Dhafra’s head coach made a tactical adjustment by introducing Ryan Yaslam in place of Zakaria Mohammed in an attempt to boost the attacking line and increase effectiveness in front of goal. The tempo of the match increased relatively as both teams looked to open the scoring.

Midway through the second half, Al Dhafra were forced into an injury substitution as Ryan Yaslam left the field, with Marcelinho coming on as his replacement.

Ittihad Kalba took the lead in the 79th minute following a quick counterattack that was successfully converted. Al Dhafra’s technical staff responded immediately with a substitution in the 80th minute, bringing on Wellington in place of Ibrahim Bayesh.

Al Dhafra then intensified their attacking pressure in search of an equalizer, which eventually came through Marcelinho after a series of attempts and sustained pressure on Kalba’s defense. Al Dhafra maintained their superiority in the remaining minutes as the hosts retreated into their defensive half, creating several clear chances that could have secured a late winner before the referee blew the final whistle, confirming a 1–1 draw.

With the first round memories, Al Dhafra will be hosted by Ittihad Kalba tonight

Al Dhafra’s first football team, FC, faces Ittihad Kalba at 9:30 PM this Thursday at Ittihad Kalba Stadium, in Matchweek 18 of the UAE Pro League.

Al Dhafra enters the clash with strong determination and a clear ambition to secure all three points, driven by the team’s current circumstances and urgent need for victory.

The side will also look to draw confidence from the first-leg encounter, which they won convincingly with an impressive three-goal performance.

The match carries added significance as it is effectively a “six-pointer,” with both teams aiming to distance themselves from the lower end of the standings.

Al Dhafra currently sits tenth with 17 points, while Ittihad Kalba is eighth with 19 points. A win for Al Dhafra would see them leapfrog their opponents in the table, whereas a victory for the hosts would extend the gap to five points.

Al Dhafra have struggled in recent rounds, going six consecutive matches without a win, making tonight’s fixture a pivotal opportunity to correct their course and return to safer territory in the standings.

The team completed its preparations through a series of intensive training sessions, during which the technical staff, led by Montenegrin head coach Željko Petrović, focused on addressing previous mistakes and reinforcing the positive aspects of their performance.

The squad heads into the match with high morale and strong commitment from the players.

Best wishes to Al Dhafra for a strong performance and a positive result that puts the team back on track for victory.

Petrović: A Defining Test of Our Character and Identity

ِAl Dhafra club’s Montenegrin head coach Željko Petrović underlined the importance of the upcoming fixture against Ittihad Kalba FC this Thursday in Matchweek 18 of the UAE Pro League.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference held on Tuesday evening at the press conference hall of Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium, in the presence of first-team player Ibrahim Bayesh, Petrović confirmed that the squad is fully prepared for the challenge and ready to compete with a high fighting spirit.

Al Dhafra coach stressed that the players are fully aware of the significance of the match at this stage of the season, emphasizing that maximum effort is required from everyone to defend the club’s badge and identity.

He also added that teamwork and full concentration on the pitch will be key to securing a positive result, noting that he is not considering any alternative scenario.

Petrović also revealed that some tactical adjustments to the starting lineup may be made depending on the flow of the game, reiterating his confidence in his players’ readiness to rise to the occasion.

For his part, Al Dhafra Iraqi player Ibrahim Bayesh anticipated a strong contest against a side that possesses quality players, stating that preparations have gone well. He also affirmed the team’s determination to deliver their best performance on the field, highlighting that the technical staff has devised the appropriate game plan for the encounter.

The Iraqi international pl concluded by expressing his hope that the team will secure all three points and called on the club’s supporters to attend and back the players from the stands, underlining the significant boost their presence provides on matchday.

Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship 2026 Kicks Off Across Six Major Cities.

The Al Dhafra Sports Club launches Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship tomorrow, Sunday, in what is set to be the largest sporting and community event in Al Dhafra Region in terms of the number and diversity of competitions, the scale of prizes, and the breadth of participation across six major cities.

This year’s edition comes with a renewed identity and a comprehensive program featuring more than 40 sporting, cultural, and community competitions and activities targeting various age groups.

The initiative reflects the club’s commitment to energizing the Ramadan sporting movement and promoting fair competition and a healthy lifestyle within the community.

The championship includes a wide range of competitions such as football, volleyball, basketball, jiu-jitsu, swimming, badminton, and padel, in addition to walking races for senior citizens, youth and women’s competitions, Quranic and cultural contests, and family entertainment activities.

The event thus represents a fully integrated Ramadan festival that combines sports, culture, and heritage in a distinctive Ramadan atmosphere.

The organizing committee confirmed that this edition is the largest in the championship’s history in terms of participation, prize value, and variety of activities, anticipating a strong turnout from teams, players, and families across Al Dhafra’s cities, amid growing interest in the tournament year after year and continued support for sports and community initiatives in the region.

H.E. Hamdan Saif Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al Dhafra Sports Club, stated that the patronage and support of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, provide strong motivation to develop further programs and initiatives that serve the region’s residents and reinforce Al Dhafra’s standing as an integrated sporting and community environment.

Al Mansouri said, “At Al Dhafra Club, we take pride in our community role, which goes beyond organizing tournaments to supporting talent, strengthening family cohesion, and promoting a culture of sport and healthy living across all age groups.”

He added that Al Dhafra Ramadan Championship embodies this vision, having been designed as a comprehensive platform for sport, culture, and community engagement, reflecting the club’s mission to serve society and solidify its position as one of the leading supporters of sporting and community activities in Al Dhafra Region.

For his part, Tahnoun Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Championship’s Organizing Committee, confirmed that substantial cash prizes have been allocated to winners across various competitions, underscoring the stature of the event and the expected level of competition. Daily prizes and raffle draws will also be dedicated to attending spectators in appreciation of their role in the tournament’s success and in enhancing its interactive atmosphere. Integrated family and entertainment zones have been prepared at competition venues across all Al Dhafra cities to provide a distinctive Ramadan ambiance that combines sport and recreation, fostering enjoyment and happiness for all members of the community and reinforcing the family-oriented and social character of the championship throughout its duration.

The championship is scheduled to continue until the 20th of the Holy Month of Ramadan, amid an enthusiastic competitive atmosphere and diverse daily programs aimed at strengthening community cohesion, discovering and supporting sporting talent, and consolidating Al Dhafra’s position as a leading destination for Ramadan sporting events at the national level.