Karim Benzema receives the 'First Line of Defence Medal' from Mattar Al Tayerin Dubai.

The Dubai Sports Council presented the "First Line of Defence Medal" to Frenchman Karim Benzema, the star of Real Madrid, in appreciation of his efforts to support the community initiatives launched by the Council during the stay at home period at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

This came during a meeting with Mattar Al Tayer, Vice President of the Dubai Sports Council. He presented the medal issued by the Dubai Sports Council engraved with the name of Karim Benzema and his shirt number, next to the image of the heroes of the "First Line of Defence," for his participation in the awareness campaign launched by the Council within the initiative "Be active and be healthy."

Benzema advised various members of the community to practise sports and adhere to the directives to maintain the safety of society.

The meeting was attended by Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, and Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Assistant Secretary General of the Council.

Mattar Al Tayer stressed that the Dubai Sports Council appreciates the efforts of all parties that participated in protecting society, starting from the first line of defence, including doctors, nurses, workers in the security and civil defence sectors, and volunteers from various disciplines, who implemented the directives of the wise leadership and plans to protect society.

The council has placed pictures of the first line of defence in the medals it awarded to winners in sports tournaments organised by the council after the return of sporting activities.

The council members were also pleased to present a special medal to Karim Benzema for his participation in the awareness campaign, which includes placing his name next to the images of the first line of defence.

This confirmed the strength of the relationship between Dubai and international sports stars who participated as volunteers in the campaign. They communicate permanently with the Dubai Sports Council to participate in any effort and initiative to confirm the role of sports in the service of society.

Benzema expressed his happiness to visit Dubai continuously because it is one of the cities very close to his heart. He feels comfortable and happy during all his visits to the city, especially as it is a city that includes wonderful facilities and welcomes everyone and respects their cultures, and sports has a distinguished place in it.

Benzema added that he always visits Dubai, and is keen to invite his friends to meet there. Last year he celebrated his birthday in a special party in Dubai, and he plans in the future to invest in it in various fields, including football academies, thanks to the support received by the sports sector.

Benzema expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the heroes in the first line of defence everywhere in the world, and said that they are the heroes and stars of the confrontation that the world is waging with the dangerous epidemic, and that they deserve praise and appreciation for what they have provided and continue to present to protect human societies.

He also stressed that the initiative of the Dubai Sports Council to issue this medal represented by an image is the best form of recognition for the first-line champions.