Dubai: The Board of Directors of the UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC) have backed the nation to have at least 14 athletes at this summer’s Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Endorsing a budget allotment of Dh37 million during their meeting held late on Wednesday, the board endorsed a decision from member associations to back and support all its athletes who have qualified for the Games so far.
Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Vice President and Chairman of the Executive Board of the UAE NOC presided at the meeting along with Mohammad Hilal Al Ka’abi, Second Vice President, Mohammad Al Kamali, General Secretary, Dawood Al Hajri, Assistant General Secretary and Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, Director of Finance along with representatives from member associations.
During the 2012 London Olympic Games, the UAE had eight athletes representing the country in individual sports. The nation’s football team also qualified and impressed all with their fine displays before bowing out at the end of the group stages.
“At the moment, we already have nine who have been confirmed to represent the UAE at the Rio Olympics. It is now our responsibility as a nation to back our athletes and ensure they have ideal conditions to continue with their preparations and bring further glory to the UAE,” Mohammad Al Kamali told Gulf News.
“As a nation we are proud of what an athlete like Shaikh Ahmad [Mohammad Al Maktoum] achieved in Athens with our first-ever gold medal at an Olympic Games. We would want our present line-up of athletes to have optimum conditions to prepare for this test and give their best in Rio later this summer,” he added.
Making the cut so far for Rio are three shooters, namely Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum (Skeet), Khalid Al Ka’abi (Double Trap) and Saif Bin Futais (Double Trap), while the country’s two long distance runners Bethlem Desalegn and Alia Mohammad Saeed have already made the grade in the 10,000m and 5,000m respectively.
In cycling, Yousuf Al Mirza has earned his spot, while the three naturalised Moldovan-born judokas, namely Victor Scvortov, Sergiu Toma and Ivan Remarenco, will complete the list of nine who will be flying the UAE flag.
The UAE NOC is expecting a few more athletes to make the grade during the course of the next few months. This includes a wild card in swimming for men, a wild card in track and field, another wild card for Asian champion Shaikh Juma Bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum in the double trap, and another one each in women’s weightlifting and sailing.
Qualifiers so far
Cycling: Yousuf Al Mirza
Shooting: Shaikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Al Maktoum (Skeet); Khalid Al Ka’abi (Double Trap); Saif Bin Futais (Skeet).
Athletics: Bethlem Desalegn; Alia Mohammad.
Judo: Victor Scvortov; Sergiu Toma; Ivan Remarenco.
Total: Nine
Aspiring Qualifiers:
Swimming: One wild card expected
Athletics: One wild card expected for men
Shooting: One wild card expected (in Double Trap for Shaikh Juma Bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum)
Weightlifting: One wild card expected for women
Sailing: One wild card expected (due to Abu Dhabi organizing an Olympic qualifier in April)
