Dubai: UAE cyclist-turned-coach Badr Mirza is convinced the UAE can send at least two more promising youngsters along with Badr’s brother Yousuf at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Fresh after completing the UCI’s Coaching Development Programme (CDP) at the world governing body’s headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland, last month, Mirza insisted that much of his energy will now be spent on getting a new crop of cyclists prepared in time for the next Olympic Games.
Last year, Yousuf Mirza — now riding for the UAE Team Emirates — created history when he became the first cyclist from the country to qualify for an Olympic Games. And earlier this year, the Khor Fakkan-born cyclist joined UAE Team Emirates becoming the first Emirati to ride for a UCI WorldTeam.
Egged on by this initial breakthrough, Badr now sees the potential cycling holds for the UAE at future international events including Olympic Games.
“I am aware that it’s not going to be an easy task, but I feel I am ready to get the next lot going while also passing on my vast experience as a cyclist first and now as a fully-qualified coach,” Mirza told Gulf News after his return from Switzerland.
“Hosting and participating in top UCI races such as the Dubai Tour, the Abu Dhabi Tour and similar tours in neighbouring Arab countries has definitely helped us all in raising our level as cyclists. And after Yousuf went to Rio last year we were further convinced that we could do well in cycling as well,” he added.
Badr has been credited in discovering and nurturing his younger brother Yousuf into one of the best cyclists in the region. Recently, when the opportunity came along for him to go and get his coaching diploma, the 34-year-old jumped at the opportunity with the thought that he would be in a better position to give something back to the sport.
“Believe me, this coaching course has been among one of the most difficult things I have done in my sporting career so far. I just hung in there as I know how vital this knowledge will be for the future of cycling in the UAE,” Mirza noted.
“I am forever grateful to the backing given to me by the UAE Cycling Federation, the Sharjah Sports Council and the Leaders’ Qualification Centre while lending me a helping hand and empowering me in my sport,” he added.
Mirza was among the pioneers for UAE cycling while pursuing his sport on the roads of Khor Fakkan. His younger brother and cousins too joined and very soon some of the UAE clubs set up cycling teams.
Now armed with a new coaching degree, Badr is all set to take over the cycling squad at the newly-established Ahli Al Shabab Dubai Club. “Tokyo 2020 is going to be a very important part of my plans. We have a group of promising youngsters at the club and I believe that at least some of them can make the grade up and qualify to the Olympics just like Yousuf did last year,” Badr related.
“We’ve got a good group of 10 youngsters who can be trained. The idea would be to have them make a strong start to the domestic season and stay focused all along for the 2020 Games. Definitely, this is a new beginning for the club and for me as well,” he added.
