DUBAI: AP Aslam Football Tournament begins on Friday at Dubai’s Al Wasl Stadium in the memory of the late AP Aslam Mohideen who was a Dubai-based philanthropist and social worker.

The event organizers, Oruma (Togetherness) Kalpankancheri, a UAE-based expatriate welfare forum, said tournament has 24 teams that belong to different clubs in the region including from Kuwait.

“The 7s football tournament has 24 teams from different areas. The committee had received around 50 applications but only the best 24 teams were chosen from it,” said Salah Anapadikkal, convenor of the event.

“The entry to the match is free and all the teams that enter the finals will be awarded prize money,” he added.

“Late Aslam was a great philanthropist who helped a number of expatriates in the UAE. He started charitable activities including support for education, treatment, etc. He was also a well-known football player,” said Anwar Ameen, patron of Oruma.

The proceeds from the tournament has always been utilized for various philanthropic efforts and also to promote football among the youngsters. Other initiatives to promote football among the children in his home town include the building of the AP Aslam Football Foundation which was founded in 2011 and currently has more than 50 children registered and trained under the foundation.

“The tournament is not just for recreation and pleasure.

The organization, Oruma, has been doing a lot for the development and betterment of the people from the Kalpakanacheri area” said Basheer Padiyath of Oruma.

According to Abdul Wahid Mayyeri, the organization has 2000 active members in Dubai.

It has also formed a youth wing that often conducts different recreational activities.

“Every year, we conduct a week-long-sports fest in Dubai,” he added.

Shamsuddin bin Mohiyuddin, Dr. Azad Moopan, and other top patrons of the organization also addressed the media.