London: A top official from the UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC) has urged sports officials in the country to take a cue from the disciplines representing the country at the London Games.
“These sportsmen and sportswoman have set the standard and it is now time for the other disciplines to follow suit,” Vice-President Yousuf Al Serkal told Gulf News here.
“Sports such as swimming, judo, weightlifting, athletics and shooting have shown us the way. The rest of the sports associations need to follow this example and start preparing way in advance for the next Olympic Games.”
He was quick to admit that the participation of individual UAE athletes, except the shooters, was more for the experience than for any medal hopes.
“By representing the UAE in these sports our athletes are ensuring that these disciplines are evolving and raising the standards to a certain level. We should consider ourselves lucky to be here,” Al Serkal noted.
“Our athletes who are here should take this as an opportunity to celebrate sport. This is the level we are at, and we belong to the worldwide fraternity. It is a good start for us as we have qualified and we deserve to be here. We should just enjoy the moment.”
