UAE goalkeeper Majed Nasser says he wants every child in the Emirates to have the opportunity to represent their country after seeing a group of underprivileged youngsters revel in the opportunity to play football for the first time on grass.

The Al Wasl stopper was speaking at a soccer camp at the Fujairah Al Ahli Stadium, organised by national team sponsors Dubai Holding. Many of the children aged between five and 16 have a long-standing love for the beautiful game, yet have to resort to friendly games played on stony embankments and sand dunes.

"When Dubai Holding asked me to visit the camp I accepted without hesitation," said Nasser, who was born in Fujairah. "There can be no greater honour for a footballer than to play for his country and I would like every child in the UAE to have the same opportunity."

Nasser was instrumental in the Whites' Gulf Cup winning team last year and helped lead the Emirates to the next round of World Cup qualification last month.

He added that he is keen to get involved in further football camps.

"This camp is a great initiative and I hope that many others are organised in the future," he said.

The event was organised in direct response to complaints, aired in the Arabic media – including Emirates Business' sister paper Al Emarat Al Youm, about the lack of proper football facilities in Fujairah. Youngsters complained that they were forced to play matches on stony patches of rough ground, risking both minor and serious injuries.

The children who took part were delighted with the opportunity and are already planning for the future.

"This camp was great. I learned a lot and made many new friends," said 15-year-old Abdullah Mohammed.

"Usually, I play with my friends on the beach. This is the first time I have played football on grass and I hope I get the chance to do so again soon."

Ahmed Sulaiman, 12, is another football enthusiast for whom playing on grass was a dream come true.

"I love to play football, but there are no real pitches where I live, just patches of sand with many stones. I am always getting injured or hurt. Playing on grass made me very happy."

Mahmood Ali, 13, added: "I have been to this stadium many times to watch games, but I never dreamt I would have the chance to play here."