Royal salute: UAE’s sporting juggernaut is on the move

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Royal salute: UAE’s sporting juggernaut is on the move
Al Qubaisi sisters on the go... There is no looking back for them.

Sports scene in the UAE got a big push in 2017.

By Ashwani Kumar

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Published: Sat 2 Dec 2017, 2:09 PM

Last updated: Sun 3 Dec 2017, 4:23 PM

After years of one step forward and two backwards, the UAE finally broke the glass ceiling with a giant leap. The President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, issued a decree that allowed children of Emirati women married to expatriates to compete in all competitions in the UAE.

The Royal decree in a country with more than 85 per cent expatriates is a visionary move. The sporting decision shows the UAE’s keenness to support talent and promote sports, which is a step in the right direction.
This will also get the Emiratis to push and prove themselves in the world of sports like never before. The rule will ensure high level of competition to grab opportunities to represent the country. This, will in turn, lead to overall elevation in standards of sportspersons in the country. And in the longer run will raise the bar for excellence in sports and the image of the country on global scale.
Consider this: The UAE got two medals – gold and bronze in Olympics so far, both noticeably coming in individual events. And the new rule will help to boost medal haul, especially, in individual events. It will surely change the perception of the country being only-rans in international competitions.
The results will, however, not be immediate but in the distant future the UAE will surely be able to register its presence on the medal table of international tournaments in a better way.
The UAE is a model country to the world on various counts and with this step turn a harbinger of change in the region.

Gunning for glory
For now, though, the UAE has made big investments into the sport of football and have reaped great benefits too. The love for football defines the ethos of this country. The UAE believes everything is achievable through teamwork and the country has innovated according to the changing times.
And earlier in the year, Arabian Gulf League – the top professional football league in the country – was voted as Asia’s best while taking into account the club competitions rankings of the Asian Football Confederation.
In the following months, the leaders of the country stunned the footballing world by merging five clubs in Dubai and Sharjah.
The Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, merged Al Shabab, Al Ahli and Dubai Club into Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club.
Meanwhile, the Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, made Al Shaab Club and Al Sharjah Club into a single entity – Sharjah Cultural Club.
However, the visionary move in the month of May has seen clubs get better and stronger in competitions both at local, regional and international level.
Such revolutionary amendments and reforms, and the regularity at which the changes have been made showed the keen interest taken by the rulers of the country towards development of sport in the country.
The Rulers recognise sports as a medium to bring in changes in the country.
Such form of Royal patronage has made a certain Omar Abdulrahman, a Riyadh-born footballer, to make the UAE his new home. Today he is the best Asian player. Visiting teams envy the UAE for having such a talent and locally too he is the difference between winning and losing on most occasions.
The 2016 AFC Player of the Year is in the running this season too. It goes to tell the special player ‘Amoory’ is.
Even as the year saw lots of new and major developments with great near and distant benefits, there was a blip as the UAE failed in their mission to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
There were two coaches entrusted with the job but the objective wasn’t realised. The country has now set eyes on the AFC Asian Cup in 2019.

Rich haul in Jiu-Jitsu
The UAE had a fruitful season in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu. It is a pet project of the Royal family. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has supported the sport in unequalled ways. Even though the sport is a foreign import, Abu Dhabi is the new home for Jiu-Jitsu. While the senior fighters had an outstanding performance at Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, the Under-15 team returned with 18 medals from the World Cup in Montenegro.
And the Crown Prince was among the first to congratulate the winners and encourage the entire team to go for more glorious achievements.

Other action too
The UAE has done wonders in other fields of sports too. Al Qubaisi sisters Amna and Hamdai, and little star Rashid Al Dhaheri scalped proud wins and podium finishes in various races across the European racing circuit. The first female pro go-kart drivers in the UAE have even registered their name in Le Mans Karting International Circuit in France.
UAE karting champion Rashid, too, has shone at the IAME 2017 International Final in Le Mans. The school boy competed in BabyRace Team in Italy and tasted success in the WSK Championship and the Campionato Italiano ACI.
Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori tasted success in UIM XCAT World Championship.
The Emirati sportspersons have proved what the UAE can achieve if they put their heart into anything.
The UAE also hosted top-notch events like Abu Dhabi Tour, Dubai World Cup, PSA Dubai World Series Finals, DP World Tour Championship, Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, various golf and tennis events, and will wind up the year with FIFA Club World Cup and Mubadala World Tennis.
These events showcased the infrastructure might and organisational skills of the UAE, which is getting better every year.
While the scope for improvement remains in every aspect of sports, the UAE’s pursuit for perfection will soon see it emerge as a top sporting nation.               
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com


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