Dubai: Athletics in the UAE took a huge step forward with the announcement of the country's first-ever women's track and field squad yesterday.
"We've never had something like this happening ever in the history of the country. This is the first time ever that the UAE officially has a women's team in the track and field," Ahmad Al Kamali, IAAF Council Member and President of the UAE Athletics Association (UAEAA), told Gulf News after announcing the names of 20 junior girls following trials at the Dubai Police Officers Club ground yesterday.
Al Kamali announced that the list of 20 junior girls would constitute the backbone of the UAE squad at regional and international competitions, starting with this year's London Olympics. "The aim is to start from the beginning, and by having a pool of junior girls, we can aspire for something great over a period of time," Al Kamali said.
The UAE athletics squad will make its debut at the Gulf Athletics Championships to be held in Muscat from February 19-24. "And we expect at least five to six medals from their debut competition later this month," Al Kamali said.
The search for talent among junior girls started a few months back when officials from the UAEAA scoured the country, visiting all schools in an attempt to convince parents and teachers of the benefits of sports as a lifestyle among girls.
Great pride
"Considering our outlook and culture, this was quite an achievement as it is so difficult to get the parents on your side. But with great pride, I can now say that we are in a much better position now than one year back," Al Kamali admitted.
"Over a period of time, we must have gone through at least 100,000 junior girls to finally narrow down to this squad of 20," he added.
The story does not end here as February 19 will see similar selection trials for senior girls. "And we are certain we will get a similar response in this category as well," Al Kamali confided. "For us, this is just the beginning and I am confident that parents will understand us much better as time passes," he added.
