Dubai: The UAE Athletics Association held a good luck farewell for the UAE sprinter Omar Juma Bilal Al Salfa following his return from Poland where he underwent a six-week training camp in preparation for the Olympic Games in Beijing.
The ceremony, held at the Dubai Police Officers club, was attended by Abdul Muhssin Al Dossary the assistant secretary general of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, and board members of the Athletics Association, and Vasko Demove the sprinter's trainer.
The Athletics Association honoured the sprinter with prize money and a special gift for the stirling efforts he displayed during the training camp and for winning two gold medals in the Arab Youth Championships last month in Tunisia.
Encouraging words
Al Dossary provided Al Salfa with some words of encouragement. "We know that it is a difficult task for our young sprinter who will face the world champions in sprint races, but we are confident that he will do his best to show the bright face of UAE sport in Beijing, we wish him good luck," said Al Dossary.
Afterwards, Al Salfa said that he was honoured and it was a dream come true for him to participate in the Olympic Games. "Running with the best sprinters in the World was like a dream for me. I know it will be very difficult to beat them. But I will do my best to reach the second or third round, this will be a good achievement for me," said Al Salfa.
The 19-year-old added that he will be targeting the 2012 Olympics in London.
"I hope I can get good preparations in the coming four years to add a lot to my experience. At that time I can compete to win medals in the London Games," Al Salfa said.
