UAE Pro League Al Ain FC’s new ground, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, which opens to the public this weekend, has been dubbed the "home of football in the UAE" by its creators, according to Kyle Sinclair of THE NATIONAL. The launch "will be marked by a match between Al Ain and Al Dhafra and a three-day family festival, the Big Kick-Off," which will give fans the chance to explore the 45,000 square-meter facility. To mark the opening of the 25,000-seat stadium, Al Ain "has unveiled a new strip" made by Nike. The club "has also freshened up its logo." The mammoth project, which will also feature apartments, 50 restaurants, retail outlets and a hotel, "is expected to put Al Ain at the forefront of sport in the country." Al Ain Club Investment Company CEO Kareem Nagi Hassan said, "It is more than just a football stadium, we look at it as a historic sports venue in the UAE. It is a game changer. It will be used not just for football but other sports and non-sports events -- those will be announced throughout the year" (THE NATIONAL, 1/20).
