48 Emirati students learn sport management skills in US varsity

The 48 students were selected based on their fitness activities and passion for leading a healthy lifestyle.

Realising the youth's power to promote healthy living among their communities, the Ministry of Education sent 48 students to a distinguished university in the United States for the first time to examine latest trends in sport management.
The Emirati high school students from Grade 9 to 11 joined an intensive two-week programme at University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) in Boston to learn about athletic training, injury care and sports nutrition as part of the ministry's 2018 Ambassadors Programme.  
During the interactive programme that aims to show students how to maintain healthy lifestyle, they participated in a human anatomy and physiology lab, and a gross motor skills lab (neuroscience).
"Students used a virtual human to learn about organ systems and physical performance in the Anatomy and Physiology lab and analyse their brain waves as they do exercise in the gross motor skills lab," said Dr Salam Kareem, sport programme specialist at the ministry, who supervised the 'ambassadors of sports' at the UMass.
He added that the programme was introduced when the ministry saw a gap in sports awareness among the young generation. He said while sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition education contribute to obesity that affects over 33 per cent of the UAE's children, it was important to take young fitness enthusiasts and equip them with the right skills they can take to their communities.
In groups, the young athletes were guided by preeminent faculty in the university's athletic department to create strategies for sports leadership, sponsorship, marketing and digital media.
During the second week, students were introduced to sport nutrition to increase their endurance and sports performance. A sports and fitness performance evaluation was also given to students to help them determine their performance and activity.
"We need better sports education in schools and tools to encourage the young generation to improve their nutrition and food intake," said Kareem.
The 48 students were selected based on their fitness activities and passion for leading a healthy lifestyle.
During the programme, Dr Kareem said a public speaking course was also introduced when the ministry staff realised students were shy to speak in front of audiences.
"An athlete must be confident and equipped with the ability to speak in public and influence listeners, especially if they're willing to be leaders," said Kareem.
Meanwhile Sawsan Al Amiri, head of the ministry's health department and the sports excellence ambassadors' batch, said there are many elements that make up an athlete.
"It isn't a matter of just practising a sport. To increase the performance in a sport, an athlete must develop the right nutrition, follow a particular lifestyle and focus on what muscles to grow."
Al Amiri added that the programme taught students the right body shape needed for different sports. "They were introduced to swimming, basketball, volleyball and football with the right muscles to work on to increase performance in each sport," said Al Amiri.
She added that once the programme was introduced, students were hesitant to apply. "They thought it will be a programme that involves two weeks of exercising, but sports is a whole field on its own that has many facets to be tackled," she said.

Female participation

Of the 48 students who participated in the programme 24 were active young female players in jiu-jitsu, taekwondo and rugby. They aim to take the sports awareness back home and become better leaders.
Abrar Al Bloushi, 16, from Salam School in Dubai, said she has been in the rugby national team for the last four years. She aims to become a coach to encourage more females to join the sport.
"I love sports since I was a child. It developed my confidence and taught me to take pride in my beliefs," said Al Bloushi. She added that improvements are needed in sports from time to time, especially when it relates to female participation in the male-associated sports.
"Sports is for everyone. There is no such thing as females unable to play certain sports. In fact, girls sometimes outperform their male counterparts." Al Bloushi said private training spaces indoors and outdoors are needed for athletes in the UAE.
She added that more female leaders need to improve the sports marketing in the country. Since she has a championship to prepare for in India in October, Al Bloushi said the programme introduced her to sports crisis management she will need as a sports leader. "I'm now better at working in groups and speaking in front of an audience. I hope with my new skills, I'll be able to lead more women into sports."
Jiu jitsu champion Manayel Al Hammadi from Applied Technology High School at Falaj Al Mualla, said she has chosen the programme to gain skills in sports leadership. "Jiu jitsu is for everyone and it helps in self-defence."
She added: "Since sport isn't popular in my community, I plan to raise more awareness through digital media and activities to bring in more people."
As a young student, she plans to lead the way forward. 

Sports Excellence programme

>Fifty high school girls and boys participated in an intensive two-week programme that examined current issues in Sport Management
>They participated in a human anatomy and physiology lab, and a gross motor skills lab (neuroscience).
>Worked with the athletic department on a practical cum theory in athletic training, learned about injury care, and sport nutrition
>Sports nutrition education covered fitness performance evaluation and increasing endurance
>Public speaking for athletes to develop confidence in front of an audience
>Students worked in groups to create strategy for Sport Leadership, Sport Sponsorship, Sport Marketing, and Sport & Digital Media
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com
 

• UAE