Dubai, Sep 3 (ANI): Football legend Diego Maradona is back as the Honorary Ambassador of Sports in Dubai.
Maradona was earlier working for Dubai based club Al Wasl and was sacked in July this year after just one season in charge.
Dr Ahmad Al Sharif, secretary-general of Dubai Sports Council, announced the deal at the Burj Khalifa's Armani Hotel. It will see the 51-year-old Argentine legend advise local authorities on how to develop sports, as well as attend conferences and functions all over the world to promote the region.
Maradona's vast experience will be used to help inspire the next generation of athletes and enhance Dubai's prominence as a global sports hub.
"For those who think I have fallen down or collapsed, I'd like to tell you I'm back stronger than ever. I had many offers [to return to coaching] but they were not satisfactory," Maradona said.
"I would like to relax now and take some time away [from the game] to form a team and work on the development of sport in Dubai," added the 1986 World Cup-winning forward and former coach of Argentina," the Gulf News quoted him, as saying.
"I have to change my lifestyle now, wear elegant suits and attend meetings and discuss the problems that may arise in relation to sport. My role is to help upgrade the sports sector as a whole, not only football. But of course the coach is still living within me."
Maradona was appointed as per the directives of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.
Dr Ahmad Al Sharif said: "Maradona is a very humble and caring person who can visit many places and encourage the next generation of athletes. Collaborating our efforts and his support of our activities will utilise another dimension of his character not yet revealed to the media." (ANI)
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