Dubai: With less than two weeks to go, UAE breaststroker Mubarak Al Besher will take to the starting blocks alongside some of the world's top swimmers when Dubai hosts the opening round of the 2011 Fina/Arena Swimming World Cup.
The Emirati police officer just can't wait to taste some top-level swimming at the Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Sports Complex on October 7 and 8.
"It is a fantastic facility and I definitely think I can swim better and faster in this pool," said Al Besher before national team training at the impressive complex last week.
"I will be competing in the 50, 100, and 200m breaststroke and am looking forward to a great competition," added the 23-year-old.
Al Besher is one of the rising stars in the UAE team, having broken over a dozen national records last year. He also claimed two gold medals in the 50 and 100m breaststroke at the recent GCC Swimming Championships in Kuwait and represented the UAE at the World Championships in Shanghai earlier this year.
But it is getting the chance to compete in home waters that really inspires him. "It will be great. All my family is here. It is my country, so I want to swim very well for my country," he said.
"I would love the people of Dubai to come and see their national team swim. I'm really looking forward to swimming with all those great international swimmers at the World Cup and my aim is to reach the final," added Al Besher.
Tickets
Dr Ahmad Saad Al Sharif, secretary-general, Dubai Sports Council, wished the UAE swimmer all the best. "We are looking forward to seeing Mubarak in action at the Fina/Arena Swimming World Cup and we urge the UAE public to come and support the national team," Dr Sharif said.
Ahmad Al Falasi, president, UAE Swimming Federation, said: "We have some great emerging talent here in the UAE and Mubarak is certainly one to keep an eye on. I have no doubt he has an exciting future in the sport."
Tickets for the Fina/Arena Swimming World Cup will be available at the door at the Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Sports Complex, which is located on the Dubai Bypass Road.
General admission tickets will cost Dh20 each day and VIP tickets have been priced at Dh150 per day. Heats will start at 9am each day and the finals will be at 6pm.
Further information may be obtained at www.uaeswimming.com/swc/en/home.
