UAE Pro League football club Al Wasl will have the first fully air-conditioned stadium in the Gulf state, state news agency WAM reported.
Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum also ordered an increase in capacity of the Zabeel Stadium to 25,000 seats and new boxes for VIP guests and the media.
Once finished, similar projects will be launched for stadiums of other sport clubs in the city, according to WAM.
The move comes as part of an effort to increase attendances at football matches in the UAE, particularly during the summer months when temperatures can soar up to 50C.
Al Wasl, which finished in 8th place in the league last season, grabbed headlines last year when the team hired Argentinean legend Diego Maradona as their coach. After a tempestuous spell in charge, where on one occasion he clashed with a local fan, Maradona was fired earlier this year. He was replaced by Frenchman Bruno Metsu.
Earlier this week, the club signed ex-Premier League and Australian international defender Lucas Neill.
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