Dubai: The top official from the UAE Athletics Federation (UAE AF) has predicted a huge rise in the profile of athletics in the country following the double success of its athletes during the ongoing 20th Asian Athletics Championships, which end on Sunday in the western Indian city of Pune.
Betlhem Belayneh Desalegn clinched the UAE’s first ever athletics gold in the 1,500 metres after teammate Alia Saeed had taken silver in the 10,000 metres at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune earlier this week.
This is the first time ever that UAE athletes have bagged medals at a major continental competition. Prior to this, the country’s only success was a bronze medal at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.
A delighted Adv. Ahmad Al Kamali, IAAF Council Member and President, UAE AF, told Gulf News from Pune on Saturday: “Six years back when I took over at the UAE AF our athletes were nowhere. But a consistent development programme has seen us reach this stage where other countries look upon the UAE as genuine medal contenders.”
Besides the two medals bagged by the women, Saud Abdul Karim made it to the final of the 400 metres and 400 metres hurdles, while the country was expectantly looking forward to another medal in the women’s 5,000 metres with Desalegn and Alia Saeed participating on Sunday.
“Betty is high on confidence and her gold medal will make a lot of difference when she runs the 5,000 metres on Sunday. I won’t be surprised if we end up with two medals to take our tally to four on the final day,” Al Kamali added.
“This has been a huge step [forward] for UAE athletics. We started off with nothing, but we are now returning with medals at the highest level and our athlete [Desalegn] has earned the right to represent Asia at the World Championships [in Moscow] next month.”
However, the official cautioned that this is just the start of the progression curve for athletics in the country. “The next three years are going to be crucial. We are there somewhere, but we need to get ready for the final push towards a podium at the international stage.”
The next challenge for the athletes will be an international meet in Stockholm, Sweden. followed by the Monaco Grand Prix and the Islamic Games in Jakarta, Indonesia in September.
