SANDRA AIGNER / AIPS* in DUBAI: The coaches of the teams at the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 are not the only ones working hard. So are the coaches from across the Middle East attending a tournament workshop.

Albert Miller, coordinator of education programmes in FIFA´s technical department, said: “They are not here for tourism. They are here to work hard and that is what I really appreciate about their attitude.”

The workshop, a legacy feature of the tournament, lasts a week and reflects FIFA’s mission to develop football around the world.

Frenchman Miller said: “We talk about the technical, physical and mental aspects of the game. These are the main aspects. They have a good standard, which is encouraging for their respective national teams, and I think that we will increase their level still further.”

The workshop involves not only talented young coaches but many experienced coaches who want to improve their skills. One out of three coaches in the workshop is over 40.

Miller, who played for Montpellier and Mallorca, said: “There is no age at which you cannot learn. We all have room for improving. So they all desire to learn and are as motivated as the youngsters. We can all share the same passion.

“Hopefully we will see them in a few years in the World Cup.”

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* AIPS, the international sports journalists association, is running a Young Reporters course at the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 with the support of the local organising committee and FIFA

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