U.A.E. Embassy and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Partner to Support New Community Soccer Field in West Philadelphia
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H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba, U.A.E. Ambassador to the United States speaks during the opening of the year-round soccer field in Conestoga Park in West Philadelphia.

“We are proud to be part of the Philadelphia community and are committed to supporting the children of this city through collaborations with close partners like the U.A.E. and Philadelphia Parks.” – Madeline Bell, CEO, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

In the shadows of FIFA World Cup matches in Philadelphia, the Embassy of the U.A.E. in Washington, D.C. and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) officially opened a new year-round soccer field at Conestoga Park in West Philadelphia on 18 June 2026. The project includes complimentary youth soccer programming through the West Philadelphia Soccer Academy (WPSA), expanding access to sports and recreation opportunities for local children and families.

“This project at Conestoga Park is more than an investment in a soccer field—it is a testament to what we can achieve when we join forces to support healthier, brighter futures for young people everywhere,” said U.A.E. Ambassador to the United States Yousef Al Otaiba.

Local community and state officials joined CHOP and the Ambassador in officially inagurating the new field. H.E. Amna Almheiri, Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in New York, also participated in the day’s events.

Bottom line:

  • CHOP has a long-standing relationship with the U.A.E., formalized through agreements with major U.A.E. health entities, and has provided expert care to many Emirati patients over several decades. CHOP’s engagement in the U.A.E. includes direct clinical care for Emirati children, medical education, joint research, and specialist training programs, all aimed at advancing pediatric expertise and healthcare across the region.
  • The project is being funded through support from the U.A.E. Embassy and CHOP, further strengthening the longstanding relationship between the U.A.E. and one of America’s leading pediatric healthcare institutions.
  • The initiative also provides ongoing youth soccer programming designed to promote health, wellness, teamwork, and community engagement among young residents of West Philadelphia.
  • The Conestoga Park project builds upon the U.A.E. Embassy’s nationwide community outreach efforts, which have supported the construction of all-weather soccer fields and free youth coaching programs in underserved communities across the United States.
From L to R: H.E. Yousef Al Otaiba, U.A.E. Ambassador to the United States; Madeline Bell, CEO, CHOP; Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes; Joe Mitchell, President, CHOP; 2nd row: Danny Sebright, President, U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council; and members of the Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s team.

As the United States and the U.A.E. continue to deepen cooperation across healthcare, education, and community development, initiatives such as the Conestoga Park soccer field demonstrate the tangible impact of bilateral partnerships on local communities while advancing shared goals of youth development, public health, and opportunity.

Please see the official CHOP press release here for more details on the project.

To learn more about the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s programming, please contact Mr. Adam Karadsheh at akaradsheh@usuaebusiness.org