THEYAB AWANA UAE AND BANI YAS PLAYER DIES AFTER CAR ACCIDENT

We just received news that Theyab Awana passed away after being involved in a tragic car accident on Shaikh Zayed Road in Abu Dhabi. This is shocking and terribly distressful news for all of us where many still in denial. Awana was best remembered for scoring a back-heeled penalty in the UAE’s 6-2 friendly win against Lebanon in July, which became a sensation with 1.25 million hits on Youtube. Awana had been attending a national team training camp in Al Ain. Tearful team-mates and friends last night contacted television station Dubai Sports 1 to pay their tributes to one of UAE football’s rising stars.

“Theyab came to practice but he didn’t participate because he was injured,” said Ahmed Saeed, UAE National Team director. “The accident happened when he was returning to Abu Dhabi.

The Bani Yas winger, who also played for the UAE Olympic team, had picked up an injury during last week’s Olympic qualifier against Australia and was schedule to travel to Germany today to receive treatment. He was supposed to link up with the national team to prepare for the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier against Korea in Seoul on October 2011. Awana will be buried today in Bani Yas after Aser Prayer. The UAE has lost one of its stars who had a bright future in world football. The entire Emiratweet team offer our wholehearted condolences to Awana’s family, friends and Bani Yas fans.