2,500 dirhams, my first salary in the “amateur” league.

United’s goalkeeper, Pakistani Inayat Nawaz, (born in the country), revealed his ambition to join the ranks of Shabab Al-Ahly in the future, stressing at the same time his full focus with his current team, which plays in the first division “amateur” league, in order to achieve the dream of rising to the professionals.

Nawaz praised his teammate, former national team player, Habib Al Fardan, considering him the best player currently in the first division league, because of the technical level and great experience he provides on the field.

Inayat explained to “Emirates Today” that the United team currently leads the first division standings with 56 points, and needs only a win and a draw from its next three matches to decide the promotion ticket, stressing “the importance of the current stage and the necessity of maintaining focus until the end.”

He continued: “I feel very happy to be with United, which has provided me with a suitable environment to develop in various aspects, whether technical or mental.”

He talked about his difficult beginnings, stressing that he played football for three years without any financial compensation, purely out of passion, before he received his first salary when he joined one of the first-class “amateur” teams, which amounted to 2,500 dirhams, describing it as “measly,” noting that there are players who still play the game for free.

He added: “At first I played cricket, which is the most popular sport in Pakistan and East Asian countries, and I participated with the UAE national team, before I switched to football.”

He pointed out that his first season in football was 2018-2019 with United, describing that period as difficult, especially since he spent four years without a goalkeeping coach, which made him rely on developing himself on his own. He continued: “I was playing ball on the sand and without sneakers, before the image gradually changed from an amateur player to a professional player.”

Enayat, who was born in the city of Al Ain, confirmed that he is “Ainawi Al-Hawa,” noting that the national team goalkeeper Khaled Issa is his role model locally, while the Italian Gianluigi Buffon is considered his role model internationally.

He also praised his experience with the Italian coach, Andrea Pirlo, who is currently coaching United, stressing that he is a distinguished coach with a high tactical mind. He concluded his speech by saying: “United includes distinguished elements, including his Senegalese colleague Mustapha Namm,” expressing his hope to continue working and achieve the goal of promotion during the current season.