DSC hails leadership for Covid-19 response

Dubai - The DSC rolled out plenty of virtual events like the world's first Marathon at home, Virtual Cycling Challenge and virtual runs, to keep residents safe at home, yet stay fit.

The Dubai Sports Council's (DSC) response to the Covid-19 pandemic changed sport as we know it with the governing body, in secretary general Saeed Hareb's own words: "thinking out of the box and embracing the virtual world."
The DSC rolled out plenty of virtual events like the world's first Marathon at home, Virtual Cycling Challenge and virtual runs, to keep residents safe at home, yet stay fit.
And as sports gradually makes a return, Hareb, on Tuesday, hailed the leadership of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, for his guidance and also lauded the DSC's response during such a crisis.
"Thanks to the vision and wisdom of UAE's leadership, the country enjoys a leading position in virtually every field, not just at the local or regional level, but globally," Hareb said on Tuesday.
"Under the guidance of our Chairman Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, we at Dubai Sports Council have been able to match the development and achievements witnessed in the other sectors of the UAE," he added.
Hareb also lauded a couple of Dubai clubs who were at the forefront of the battle against the pandemic with Arabian Gulf League sides Al Nasr and Shabab Al Ahli opening their doors to use their facilities as drive-through Covid-19 test centres.
"We have clear plans for our work on the level of leadership and development of the sports sector and its national contribution, as well as in strengthening UAE's position as the leading country in the world of soft power. In dealing with the challenges arising from the Covid-19, we have shown leadership, speed and flexibility in our plans, opening drive-through Covid-19 test centres at two of our clubs, Al Nasr and Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, and volunteers from the Council and our clubs worked alongside the professionals at the two centres as the first line of defence in the efforts to control the pandemic," Hareb said.
Now with the new normal in place as sports resumes slowly, Hareb said that the DSC is ensuring that the protocols that have been put in place, will be adhered to.
"We are now gradually reopening our sports sector in the Emirate of Dubai in accordance with all the precautionary measures and safety guidelines issued by Dubai's Supreme Committee for Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai and other relevant government entities. The Dubai Sports Council has put protocols in place to ensure compliance by all stakeholders and parties involved.
"Working with relevant authorities, we have drawn up a detailed list of instructions for local and private clubs and academies, and fitness centers, in both Arabic and English, to ensure the safety of participants and staff. And we will be evaluating these sports entities continuously, in cooperation with relevant authorities, and ensure compliance with all the safety procedures," he elaborated.
james@khaleejtimes.com