The UAE Pro League held a celebration today, Saturday, at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Abu Dhabi to honor the standout players of the 2023-2024 season. The event was attended by Abdullah Nasser Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Pro League, members of the League’s Board of Directors, representatives from sponsoring institutions, clubs, athletes, and media representatives.
Al Wasl dominated the awards, with Ali Saleh receiving the Golden Ball award for the best Emirati player, while Nicolas Jimenez secured the Golden Ball for the best foreign player. Sofiane Rahimi from Al Ain was honored with the “Best Player by the Public’s Choice” award.
The Best Coach Captain’s Award went to Serbian Milos Milojevic, head coach of Al Wasl Club. Khalid Al Senani, the goalkeeper for Al Wasl, won the Golden Glove Award for Best Goalkeeper, and Ismail Matar from Al Wahda received the award for the “Most Beautiful Goal.”
Sultan Adel, a player from Kalba, claimed the Golden Boy Award for the best promising Emirati player, while Sekou Baba from Al Bataeh won the Golden Boy Award for the best promising player, whether resident or born in the country.
In the statistical awards, Syrian international Omar Kharbin, striker for Al Wahda, won the Golden Boot award as the top scorer in the ADNOC Professional League, netting 19 goals.
Fabio Lima (Al Wasl), Facundo Daniel (Al Wahda), and Daniel Bessa (Kalba) shared the Golden Boot award for top scorers in the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup, while Mansour Al Menhali from Al Wahda received the Silver Boot award for leading scorer in the Under-21 League.
Regarding awards based on specific criteria, Al Ain Club was awarded the “Fans League Award,” surpassing Al Wasl and Al Jazira, while Al Wasl received the Excellence Award in Professionalism and Licensing, ahead of Shabab Al Ahli and Al Ain.
Ahmed Hamid Al Haroush was named the ADNOC Professional League Fantasy Manager, accumulating 1926 points.
The Dream Team for the 2020-21 season was also announced, featuring Bouftini (Al Wasl), Khalifa Al Hammadi (Al Jazira), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Nicolas Jimenez (Al Ahli), Soufiane Bouftini (Al Wasl), along with other notable players including Sekou Baba (Al Bataeh), Fabio Lima (Al Wasl), Ali Saleh (Al Wasl), Omar Kharbin (Al Wahda), and Sultan Adel (Kalba).
In his speech at the ceremony, Abdullah Nasser Al Junaibi acknowledged the contributions of the Professional League partners, the broadcasting channels, and various media outlets. He praised the efforts of professional clubs in the “Journey of Success,” which encompasses the competitions and events of the Pro League throughout the season, aimed at achieving desired goals and strategic objectives.
He added, “This brilliance in the realm of creativity would not have been possible without the unwavering support and generous contributions from our wise leadership, which has been instrumental in overcoming challenges and achieving our strategic goals.”
UAE Pro League Awards Night 2023-2024: Celebrating Football Excellence
The UAE Pro League celebrated the stars of the 2023-2024 season today, Saturday, at the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by key figures, including Abdullah Nasser Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Pro League, members of the League’s Board of Directors, representatives from sponsoring institutions, club officials, renowned athletes, and the media.
Major Award Winners of the 2023-2024 Season
This year, Al Wasl Football Club shone brightest at the awards ceremony, capturing multiple accolades, highlighting their incredible performance throughout the season. Here’s a breakdown of the key awards:
- Golden Ball for Best Emirati Player: Ali Saleh, Al Wasl
- Golden Ball for Best Foreign Player: Nicolas Jimenez, Al Wasl
- Best Player by Public’s Choice: Sofiane Rahimi, Al Ain
- Captain’s Award for Best Coach: Milos Milojevic, Al Wasl
- Golden Glove Award for Best Goalkeeper: Khalid Al Senani, Al Wasl
- Most Beautiful Goal Award: Ismail Matar, Al Wahda
Promising Young Talent Recognized
Emphasizing the youth development within UAE football, the awards also recognized promising talent:
- Golden Boy Award for Best Promising Emirati Player: Sultan Adel, Kalba
- Golden Boy Award for Best Promising Player (Resident or Born in the Country): Sekou Baba, Al Bataeh
Statistical Highlights from the Season
The awards ceremony also highlighted individual performances based on statistical achievements:
- Golden Boot Award (Top Scorer in ADNOC Professional League): Omar Kharbin, Al Wahda – 19 Goals
- Top Scorer in the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank Cup: Fabio Lima (Al Wasl), Facundo Daniel (Al Wahda), Daniel Bessa (Kalba)
- Silver Boot Award for Under-21 League: Mansour Al Menhali, Al Wahda
Excellence in Engagement and Professionalism
Al Ain Football Club was awarded the Fans League Award, significantly beating competitors like Al Wasl and Al Jazira. In addition, Al Wasl was recognized with the Excellence Award in Professionalism and Licensing, surpassing Shabab Al Ahli and Al Ain in the league.
Fantasy Manager Success
Among the fun and competitive aspects, Ahmed Hamid Al Haroush clinched the ADNOC Professional League Fantasy Manager Award with an impressive total of 1926 points.
Dream Team and Notable Mentions
The awards ceremony culminated in the unveiling of the Dream Team for the 2020-21 season, comprising some of the most talented players from various clubs:
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Bouftini | Al Wasl |
| Khalifa Al Hammadi | Al Jazira |
| Soufiane Rahimi | Al Ain |
| Nicolas Jimenez | Al Wasl |
| Sekou Baba | Al Bataeh |
| Fabio Lima | Al Wasl |
| Omar Kharbin | Al Wahda |
| Sultan Adel | Kalba |
Key Takeaways from the Awards Ceremony
Abdullah Nasser Al Junaibi delivered a touching speech during the ceremony, highlighting the significance of collaboration and dedication in the journey toward success in the UAE Pro League.
– He commended the invaluable contributions from various partners, sponsors, and media channels.
– Al Junaibi emphasized that the achievements of this season were a testament to the UAE’s emphasis on excellence in sports.
– He expressed gratitude towards the wise leadership, acknowledging their unwavering support that has propelled the league forward.
Benefits of Recognition in Sports
The annual awards in the UAE Pro League serve several beneficial purposes:
– Boosting player morale and encouraging professional growth.
– Promoting healthy competition among teams, leading to an overall improvement in the league’s standards.
– Strengthening community ties between clubs and their supporters through recognitions and celebrations.
– Highlighting emerging talents and supporting their development into professional athletes.
Experience the Excitement of UAE Pro League Football
For fans and stakeholders in UAE football, attending events like the Pro League Awards presents an opportunity to celebrate football culture and form connections within the community. These gatherings not only acknowledge success but also serve as a platform for aspiring players and teams looking for inspiration and guidance through the experiences shared.
As the 2023-2024 season blossoms, fans can anticipate even more thrilling matches, dynamic player performances, and, of course, the chance to witness potential award contenders emerge as the season progresses.
Stay tuned to Sharjah 24 for more updates, league news, and highlights from the ever-evolving world of UAE football!
