Dubai: As an 11-year-old, Adil Khalid was among the first batch of junior sailors making the grade in the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC)-run grassroots sailing programme. Nearly two decades later, the 29-year-old still clings to a childhood dream — that of winning an Olympic medal in sailing.
“When we [along with brother Yousuf] started sailing at DIMC, we always spoke of winning Olympic medals. But then life took a different turn and I had to divert my attention to the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (ADOR) team with whom I have competed on two occasions,” Khalid recalled.
“Now, it is time to put my dream up again and go all out for an Olympic medal for my country as a repayment for all that the UAE has done for me,” he added.
The DIMC’s sailing programme was launched in 1999 under the patronage of DIMC Chairman Saeed Hareb. The annual end-of-season Dubai Junior Regatta attracted some of the best junior sailors from across the world. However, from 2006, the sailing programme was discontinued and young UAE sailors had to search for alternative avenues. Khalid chose the ADOR and went on to be crowned champion on board ‘Azzam’ in the 2015 Volvo Ocean Racing.
“Now it is time for fresh challenges, and I want an Olympic medal. I’ve tried staying away from sailing, but I simply love this sport too much and it is hard to be away. I’ve achieved a lot and now it is time to give something back to the sport and to my country,” Khalid said.
