UAE's hosting of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup was one of the most important sports events in the world. The success of this event attested to its sports’ potential, management and administrative capabilities of its youth, and the readiness of its sporting facilities equipped with the latest smart technologies to deal with major events.

This tournament brought together many different Asian cultures and nationalities that reflected the depth of tolerance and co-existence in the year of tolerance between the different nationalities and communities on the land of Zayed Al-Khair. The hearts of the Emirati people and their homes expressed their great hospitality to welcome everyone. Indeed, the Emiratis were brought up to such good traits, including their inherent tradition of hospitality to all.

The tournament contributed to the revitalization of the economic aspects and reflected the most beautiful meanings of harmony in a country blessed with security, safety, love and rapport embracing different and varied Arab and foreign cultures.

In addition, the tournament contributed to supporting several key aspects of the country, as it was one of the tourist portals that promoted the most important tourist, cultural and heritage attractions, and reflected the tangible progress in the sustainable and traditional urban and industrial aspects.

Among the most important gains of the tournament was the experience associated with success and accomplishment, which is an accumulation to the series of world achievements of the UAE sports. Most importantly, the tournament reflected the crystal-clear development in the performance of the sports sector in the country in general.

Indeed, the AFC Asian Cup is an honorable and memorable impact in the history of the UAE that stressed many of the indications and signs bearing testimony to the standing and reputation of the country and its sports sector.

Saeed Abdel Ghaffar

Secretary General of Sports Authority