Dubai: The UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC) expects to see golden returns from its contingent participating in the 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Incheon, South Korea, from June 29 to July 7, a top official said.
The UAE’s 66-strong contingent, which includes 35 athletes plus officials and observers, left for Incheon on Tuesday and Mohammad Al Kamali, UAE NOC general secretary, is expecting some strong results, particularly in chess, billiards and futsal.
The eight-day games, which begin on Saturday, will witness competition in 12 indoor sports as varied as Muay Thai boxing, snooker and billiards, besides kabaddi, and swimming. The UAE has sent athletes to compete in the swimming, futsal, chess, bowling and cue sports disciplines.
“After analysing the preparations, I believe we have a good chance for medals in chess, billiards and bowling. Even though these games deal with non-Olympic sports, it is a good challenge to our athletes,” Al Kamali told Gulf News.
“Of course, results are important as it is just one year away from the Asian Games. But what is even more important is that we show our solidarity with South Korea by attending such a high-profile competition.”
Ahmad Al Falasi, president of the UAE Swimming Association, is the head of the delegation, while Aisha Al Suwaidi is the chef de mission in Incheon, while Dr Abdul Hameed Al Attar is leading the medical team.
The UAE squad comprises of 14 players in futsal, seven billiards players, six members in the chess squad and four athletes each in bowling and swimming.
Salem Saleh, Faisal Al Khuswawi and Ebrahim Al Khoury will comprise the boys’ chess team, while Amnah Al Ali, Khulood Al Zarouni and Abeer Hassan will make up the women’s team.
The swimming challenge is being spearheaded by the experienced Obaid Al Jasmi, along with Mubarak Al Beshir, Ali Al Ka’abi and Mohammad Al Muhairi, while Saeed Al Hashemi, Hussain Al Suwaidi, Naiq Jaber Oqab and Shaker Hassan Ali are expected to do well in bowling.
In billiards, Mohammad Al Hashemi, Mohammad Al Joker, Eisa Al Hashemi, Khalid Al Kamali, Mohammad Al Hossani, Salahuddin Al Rimawi and Saif Al Ketbi are also expected to do well.
The UAE futsal team has been grouped with Asian powerhouses Iran and Iraq, but the official is expecting them to fare well and emerge as one of the medal favourites.
The Games will be the first OCA Games to combine the Asian Indoor Games and the Asian Martial Arts Games. The AIMAG will be a high-profile test event for the 17th Asian Games in Incheon next year.
Nine venues have been specially prepared for the AIMAG, along with an Athletes’ Village and planned recruitment of 3,000 volunteers. The venues include seven existing and two new ones for swimming and futsal, besides five for training.
The opening and closing ceremonies will both take place at Samsan World Gymnasium.
