DUBAI: The 7Up Dubai Government Entities Football League 2013 will kick off on Feb.27 at the Dubai Police Officers’ Club.

Twenty-eight government entities and semi-government organisations will take part in the event which is divided in two leagues, one for those above 38 years and the other for below 37. The final is scheduled for Saturday, April 13.

This is the second edition of the tournament organised by the Dubai Sports Council.

This year the DSC had joined hands with Dubai Refreshments, who will be the title sponsor for the event.

Nasser Al Rahma of the DSC said they are privileged to be working closely with Dubai Refreshment this year after the tournament was a big success last year.

“This is an unique tournament to promote football among the employees and a great initiative to bring together all the government entities on a common platform.

“We thank the Dubai Refreshment for their support and we are proud of last year’s achievements,” Rahma told media persons during the draw of the tournament held in Dubai on Sunday morning.

“We thank all the government entities, the media for the success of this event and we hope we will receive more support from the private sector,” he added.

Tarek El Sakka, general manager of Dubai Refreshments, thanked the Dubai Sports Council for giving them the opportunity to be part of such an important event.

“We thank Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and the Dubai Sports Council for giving us this opportunity.

“We would like to thank all the government departments, the companies, the Dubai Police for their involvement in the event and hope we will be an ideal platform offering employees a good chance to play the world’s most popular sport, football, on a highly competitive level,” Sakka said.

The teams taking part in the Under-37 category have been divided in seven groups of four each.

Those taking part in this league include Dubai Ruler’s Court, the Dubai Crown Prince Office the Dubai Police, DNATA, Emirates Airlines, Dubai Airport Free Zone, Financial Audit Department, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Acitivities Department, etc.

In the above 37 league, 16 teams, divided in four groups of three each except Group A which has four, will be  playing a round-robin league followed by knock-out games.

The draw for both the leagues was conducted by Michel Salgado, former Spanish international footballer and Bader Hareb of DSC.