Organiser targets participation of Emiratis
Van Der Merwe wants to approach sports clubs to attract UAE nationals as country prepares to host world championship
Dubai: One of the regular organisers of water sport competitions is targeting an enhanced participation of UAE nationals as the country hosts the 2010 Fina World Swimming Championships (25 metres) in December.
"We need a greater participation from UAE sportspersons in the various competitions that we run, and it is with this motive that we will be approaching all the clubs in Dubai to coax them into taking part in our activities," Warren Van Der Merwe, Managing Director, Super Sports told Gulf News at the season-ending prize presentation held at the Westin Dubai on Friday.
Van Der Merwe's Super Sports organises the Mina Mile, a junior swim series, a run series and an aquathlon series each year. For the next season Van Der Merwe wants to see the inclusion of at least a couple of new events to the calendar.
Huge demand
"We are targeting the inclusion of a duathlon (run/cycle/run) and a triathlon (swim/cycle/run) series for the next season. But what we would gladly welcome to our events is the presence of a few more UAE athletes," said the South African organiser.
"There is a huge demand for such events as each of the series attracts between 150 and 250 participants on an average. And should we get some UAE nationals taking part it would be double the satisfaction," he said.
Considering the hosting of the 2010 Fina World Swimming Championships at the state-of-the-art Aquatics Centre in Dubai from December 15-19, Van Der Merwe has decided to approach all major clubs in the country in an attempt to woo local athletes. "We need to prop up our marketing for the next season. We had one of the swimmers from Al Ahli winning one of the races last year and this is a great indication for us," Van Der Merwe said.
With so much of effort going into the hosting of the 2010 Fina World Swimming Championships, all sports clubs in Dubai have built new swimming pools. "Perhaps, we can even have the clubs stage some of our competitions," Van Der Merwe said.
Meanwhile, Nicholas Tipper and Jane Westley claimed the top honours in the men's and women's categories in the Aquathlon Series.
Tony Arnell and Tania Atwell won the veterans men's and women's crowns, while Cody Duncan took the junior boy's title and Brian Clarke the Masters. All results available at www.supersports.com.
