Students will next month have the chance to perfect their dribble, work on goal-scoring and strengthen social skills under the watchful eye of English Premier League coaches.
Under the Premier Skills Community Coaching Initiative more than 1,100 coaches will work with more than 500,000 students in 20 countries to mix football and education.
The course will run from March 30 to April 4 for 16 to 18 year olds and will take place at Gems World Academy in Dubai. Six EPL coaches will mentor 45 participants.
"The programme is aimed at young people that have an interest in coaching and or football in the Premier League," said James Tucker, the director of education at Bolton Wanderers FC.
"Participants will follow a five-day programme, which will culminate in a Premier League Coaching Qualification from Edexcel and is the only one of its kind in the world."
Although it is being held at Gems World Academy, anyone can apply.
"It's being hosted at Gems simply as a facility," Mr Tucker said. "The programme is really aimed at local populations, however. We wanted to create awareness in the region so that we can then later offer it to coaches in the UAE."
The programme follows the UAE's Gulf Cup victory last month, when they beat Iraq in the final to lift the trophy for the second time.
zalhassani@thenational.ae
