Professionals Teams

Centre of Excellence


Jebel Ali International Hotels developed the Centre of Excellence in conjunction with My Group Direct. The concept was initiated by two former England international footballers Viv Anderson MBE and Tony Woodcock, who identified the need for a comprehensive warm weather training facility in Dubai.

The Jebel Ali International Centre of Excellence has now gained the reputation as the United Arab Emirates premier warm weather training facility, hosting top European Football Clubs and International Teams .

The Centre of Excellence is a purpose built training facility 'designed by professional for professionals'. The Centre consists of two fully floodlit international sized football pitches providing the best playing surface in Dubai.

Visiting teams are guaranteed maximum training time, as the playing surface is kept in excellent condition without any disruptive maintenance downtime. The Centre of Excellence also offers an impressive selection of training equipment, treatment rooms and private changing facilities.

To date the Jebel Ali International Centre of Excellence and JAIGRS have hosted a number of International and Professional teams including:

2006

  • Austrian National Team
  • Partizan Belgrade
  • Bolton Wanderers
  • Blackburn Rovers
  • West Ham United
  • Oman National Team

2007

  • Dynamo Kiev
  • Red Bull Salzburg
  • Partizan Belgrade
  • Portsmouth FC
  • Blackburn Rovers

2008

  • Ghana National Team
  • FC Zurich
  • Red Bull Salzburg
  • FC Zenit St. Petersburg
  • Hull City FC
  • Partizan Belgrade
  • Liechtenstein National Team
  • Watford FC
  • Australia National Team



The Centre of Excellence is one of the few Centres outside of the UK to be awarded approved centre status allowing the Centre to deliver English FA Coach Education Courses, Level 1 & Level 2.

Not only does the Centre of Excellence cater for its international clients but brings people together from the local community through its football academy.

The Jebel Ali International Centre of Excellence is home to the JAI UMBRO Football Academy, JAI Youth League, Dubai Women's Football Association and the Dubai Corporate Football Tournament and several regular corporate clients.