It is sad for UAE to lose energetic sons in avoidable accidents: Saif bin Zayed

Lt-General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior & President of the Bani Yas Football Club, and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court & Chairman of the Board of the Bani Yas Sports Club offered the funeral prayers for Awana, who was laid to rest at Bani Yas Cemetery at 4pm on Sunday.

After the funeral, Sheikh Saif said "wasting young talents in the country due to the unfortunate result of traffic accidents was saddening. He said the death of Awana was a big loss to sports in the UAE. He prayed to the Almighty to bless him and rest his soul in eternal peace.
He said it required all parties to continue efforts to stop road deaths, in accordance with "what the country has reached in progress and advancement in all fields".

"I am not announcing the death just by referring to him as a sportsman but as a local youth, talented and distinct, who contributed to raising the nation's flag high in several sporting events," Sheikh Saif said.

"And it is painful for all of us, for the country, to lose its energetic sons in avoidable accidents."

He called on youth and social groups, media and cultural associations to work immediately on raising awareness on the importance of driving cautiously.
Sheikh Saif said speed was the primary cause for most fatal accidents, and that "any time saved is useless if a person loses his life".

The initial investigations revealed that excessive speed and reckless driving caused Awana's vehicle to swerve to the extreme right side near Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Bridge. The accident occurred at 11pm on Sunday. Awana, 21, died instantly.

Brig Matar Al Muhairi, the chairman of the Bani Yas Sports Club, said the "shocking" death was a big loss to Emirati football and especially to his club.
A Muhairi added: Well-mannered late Awana has been dear to the hearts of all, and by his death, the sport family has lost a promising footballer. With a big smile on his face at all times, he was a model of a man who carries out his duties appropriately and devotedly.

A Few Lines on Awana 

• He was born in 8 April, 1990. He joined Bani Yass Club, UAE national and Olympic teams
• He played marvelously with his team- Bani Yass- in 2008-2009 seasons, as he was 19 years.
• Thanks to his efforts, the Bani Yass team became among the Emirati pro-league teams. He participated with the UAE national team at Asia Youth Cup 2008 won by UAE.
• Biggest claim to fame was the back-heeled penalty he scored in a 6-2 win over Lebanon in July.
• He played with UAE under 17 team in the Junior Gulf Cup 2006, and the UAE under 20 in the Asia Youth Cup, 2008. He also played during the Gulf Cup for Olympic teams, 2010.