Dubai: One of the top academics from the UAE feels top sportspersons have a duty of improving the quality of life around them through their personal example.
“Top sportspeople need to ask themselves: are we role models as professional players?” Dr Mansour Al Awar, Chancellor, Hamdan Bin Mohammad e-University, said in his opening remarks at the day-long Seventh Dubai International Symposium for Sports Creativity.
He gave the example of Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger lashing out at midfielder Jack Wilshere after the Arsenal midfielder was caught smoking a cigarette outside a London nightclub earlier this month. “Integrity goes hand in hand with education and these two aspects in turn will lead us towards a culture of creativity and distinct sports identity,” Dr Mansour said.
Held under the slogan ‘Innovation and Development of Sports Creativity’, the conference also featured talks from middle-distance runner Hisham Al Guerrouj and David Magellan Horth, Senior Fellow and Senior Designer.
Mattar Al Tayer and Dr Ahmad Sa’ad Al Sharif, Vice Chairman and General Secretary, Dubai Sports Council, officially opened the conference that was attended by nearly 200 delegates.
