The Dubai Police has recently concluded the 'Ramadan Football Championship' for university and college students, with the participation of 16 football teams representing several universities and colleges in the UAE.

In the final match of the seven-a-side championship organised by the Dubai Police Council for University and College Students, the American University in the Emirates (AUE) team emerged victorious, defeating Al Qasimia University with a score of 4-2, thereby securing the championship title.

The event was attended by Major General Ahmed Muhammad Rafi, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Administration Affairs; Major General Dr Saleh Abdullah Murad, Director of the General Department of Human Resources at Dubai Police; Colonel Omar Ashour, Acting Director of Naif Police Station; Prof. Dr. Muthanna Ghani Abdul Razzaq, President of the AUE University; Prof. Dr. Suleiman Al Sarayrah, Dean of Student Affairs at Al Qasimia Universit; and Dr. Maryam Al Matroushi, Chairman of the Athletes Council at Dubai Police.

At the closing ceremony, Maj.Gen. Rafi presented awards to the first and second-place winners of the championship. Additionally, he conferred the ‘Championship Best’ awards as follows:

• The 'Best Player' award was given to Jawad Hikma Al Aqidi, player number 10 from AUE University.

• The 'Best Goalkeeper' award was bestowed upon Jamal Ashraf Shabaita, player number 8 from AUE University.

• The 'Top Scorer' award was granted to Youssef Muhammad Fawzi, player number 19 from the University of Sharjah.

Maj. Gen. Rafi commended the skills and performances of the participating teams. He noted that organising such championships and tournaments helps strengthen the communication between Dubai Police and university and college students, in line with the Force's strategic goals of promoting safety and security. He further added that these events provide an opportunity to identify the needs of students in the security and policing fields, as well as addressing the challenges they encounter due to the rapidly evolving modern era.

Meanwhile, the director of the General Department of Human Resources at Dubai Police highlighted that the championship is part of a series of events, programmes, and initiatives initiated by the Dubai Police Council for University and College Students to fully support students, encourage their participation in programmes related to academic recruitment, collaboration, and training, and foster communication between them and the Force.

Maj. Gen. Murad expressed gratitude to all parties involved in organising the championship, including external partners such as the championship's golden sponsor, Emirates Airline; Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Sports Council; the UAE Football Association, and the UAE Sports Federation for School and University Education Institutions. Additionally, internal partners included the Dubai Police Council for University and College Students; Dubai Police Officers Club; Dubai Police Community-Based Initiative Positive Spirit, and Dubai Police Health Centre.

The championship-winning team secured the trophy, gold medals, and a prize of AED10,000, while the runners-up received silver medals and AED5,000. Additionally, each recipient of the 'Best Awards', such as the top goalkeeper and leading scorer, was awarded 50,000 mileage points from Emirates Airlines.

The championship witnessed the participation of football teams from Gulf Medical University, Al Qasimia University, University of Dubai, Amity University - Dubai, Rabdan Academy, Emirates Aviation University, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi University, University of Sharjah, UAE University, American University of Sharjah, Technology, Dubai Police Academy, Saint Joseph's University- Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai and the American University in The Emirates.