Dubai: Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, the CEO of Golf in Dubai, believes the Mena Tour can help UAE nationals fulfill their dream of a first Asian and Olympic Games qualification, following last week's historic recognition from the National Olympic Committee (NOC). 

In reaction to the rise of UAE golf over the past season, where the national team is on course to a regional hat-trick of honours, the NOC awarded the national team with membership, giving the team potential to feature in forthcoming Asian and Olympic Games, where the sport is making a comeback after a 112-year absence. 

The UAE's leading golfer, Ahmad Al Musharrakh, told Gulf News last week that this recognition opened a whole new realm of exposure and the 21-year-old golfing sensation dared his teammates to dream about the ‘very real' prospect of Olympic Games qualification for 2016. 

These sentiments were echoed by Bu Amim on Monday. He claimed the two-year-old Tour had helped endorse golf and catch the attentions of the NOC, thus clearing the way for the country's leading players to start dreaming of Olympic golf. 

Bu Amim, who is also chairman of the Mena Tour, said: "There are hundreds of young golfers in the region who would be proud to represent their country and it would be an honour for anyone who plays this game to be part of the Asian Games and Olympic Games." 

"Hard work and exposure to high-intensity competitions are vital ingredients to preparing the players for top flight golf, and the Mena Golf Tour has the strength in depth to provide competition that would challenge the players and fine tune their skills required to compete at this level.

"Our intention is to develop amateurs who represent their country through this Tour because we feel they are the ones who will encourage more people to take up golf - and not the Woods and Westwoods. The added incentives, of course, are the spots that we offer to top golfers on the Order of Merit - three professionals and one leading amateur - to compete in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. 

"We have created a springboard for the players to benefit from it and, hopefully, they will set new standards. It is meant to create playing opportunities for all those keen on playing at the top level or planning on making a career out of golf. It's a stepping stone to the exciting world of international golf," he said. 

The second edition of the Mena Tour, which is scheduled to kick off in September this year, will have a true regional flavour with stops in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and possibly, Morocco.

With more tournaments, more prize money on offer, the tour is expected to attract a strong field with players who have featured on the Challenge Tour and Asian Tour events adding to its strength.

Bu Amim's statement read: "If a Mena Golf Tour player goes on to establish his credentials on the international circuit, it will just be a sign of the times in an ever-changing world."

"This calls us to join hands, group our efforts and set off to make this dream come true," said Bu Amim.

These sentiments are not exactly shared by leading UAE golfers Ahmad Al Musharrakh and Khalid Yousuf, who told Gulf News in November that the MENA Tour initiative was too top heavy.

As the only two Emirati's to have competed in last year's inaugural staging, Musharrakh and Yousuf raised fears about getting more nationals up to scratch handicap to meet Mena's strict entry requirement.

The pair also missed two events due to scheduling and with the Arab Championships also due in September at the same time as the second Mena Tour, the clash could repeat itself, questioning if Emirati players are ready to benefit from the new development pathway.