Leoni FC’s growth from a small university project to a competitive team in the UAE’s football league is proof to the power of passion.

Founded in 2017 by a group of university students led by Dalia Abdelrahman, the club began with the goal of creating a space for women to play football. Over the years, this dream has grown into a structured and ambitious team with a clear vision: to establish Leoni FC as a professional football club in the UAE.

In its early days, Leoni FC competed in 7-a-side leagues, a common format for smaller teams in the UAE. These initial competitions provided crucial experience and laid the foundation for the club’s future success. The transition to the more demanding 11-a-side league marked a significant milestone, reflecting the team’s growing ambitions.

Tariq Mohamad, a key figure in the club’s development, recalls,

“We started as a group of girls in university, Dalia had the idea to taking it to the next level to start a football team for the girls that are interested in football.”

“At the time they didn’t get much support from university, so they reached out to me and we started this project together.”

“We started training outside the school campus, we started competing in competitions, playing friendlies and then fast forward to where we are here today.”

Leoni FC is distinguished by its diverse teamsheet, which includes players from South America, Canada, Serbia, Hungary, Egypt, and beyond.

“We are the most diverse,” Mohamad explains. “Its honestly for me not about the nationality or the diversity, for me the group of players have to work together, the group has to mesh.”

This inclusivity has not only strengthened the team’s cohesion but also enriched its culture, creating a dynamic and adaptable squad on the pitch.

Like many sports teams, Leoni FC faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. With games and training sessions stopped for nearly two years, the team had to find new ways to stay connected and motivated. Zoom meetings and individual training programs became essential tools for maintaining team spirit.

“It was a tough time for everyone,” Mohamad admits. “For us to stay in touch we did alot of exercises together doing zoom calls We tried to lift each like everyone basically. tried to lift to each other, But what kept us going is honestly, it’s like the cult that we did and the fact that we, even when we were during COVID, we were still like doing our due diligence of training, “

Leoni FC’s debut season in the UAE’s 11-a-side league was a learning experience. Competing against more seasoned teams, the club approached the season with a mindset focused on growth and improvement. Despite being newcomers.

“We came into the season ready to learn,” Mohamad reflects. “We competed against the top and we are looking to improve for getting better results for a better season”.

The club’s strategy moving forward is to build on this foundation, learning from each match and closing the gap with the top teams in the league.

‘A fantastic opportunity’

There’s a new buzz of excitement building within Leoni FC as they look ahead to the newly announced AFC Women’s Championship. Mohamad sees this tournament as a pivotal opportunity for women’s football in the region, providing a platform for emerging talent and helping to raise the sport’s profile.

“The AFC Women’s Championship is a fantastic opportunity,” Mohamad says. “It’s a chance for teams from this region to showcase their talent on a larger stage. We’re excited about the possibility of competing in the tournament.”

While competing in the AFC Women’s Championship is still an aspiration, the club is laying the groundwork to make this dream a reality.

Mohamad acknowledges that the success of Leoni FC is not just due to the players but also to the support from fans, families, and the broader community.

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the incredible support from our fans and families”.