Dubai: Osama Ahmad Al Shafar, Vice President of the UAE Weightlifting and Body Building Federation is one of the frontrunners for the post of President of the Asian Body Building Federation (ABBF).
Elections to choose the new committee of the continental body will be held at the end of this month prior to the start of the Asian Body Building Championship to be held in Shanghai, China.
Al Shafar is scheduled to depart for China later today to canvas his candidature.
"I am indebted to Ebrahim Abdul Malek from the UAE National Olympic Committee for supporting my candidature for the top post," Al Shafar told Gulf News yesterday.
Dream big
Current ABFF President Brigadier General Abdullah Khalaf Al Ka'abi from Qatar is seeking a second four-year term in office along with candidates from Japan and China.
"I feel confident about myself for this top post because I have a vision for the sport in Asia," Al Shafar stated. The 33-year-old Al Shafar had voiced his intent of taking over as the new ABFF President immediately after the Asian Games held in Qatar last year.
"His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has been my inspiration all along. He has shown us how to dream big and pursue this dream till the end," Al Shafar said.
A keen body builder himself, Al Shafar is equally accomplished in endurance riding, rallying, motorbike racing, sky diving, scuba diving, jet ski racing and even falconary.
"Though horse riding is my passion, body building is one sport that has so much of potential for a country like the UAE," Al Shafar stated.
High expectations for Al Shafar
Osama Al Shafar hopes to make it a double celebration at the Asian Body Building Championship starting in Shanghai later this month. Al Shafar expects a good showing from the six-member UAE squad at the competition. The members of the team are Zuwaid Salmi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Zahmi and Tariq Al Za'abi - all gold medal winners at the Arab Body Building Championship held in Sana'a earlier this month. In addition, there is Issaq Ali and Ameen Taimur representing the country in the junior and senior 75kgs category. "These athletes are in much better shape now than what they were a month back. I am sure they will do the UAE proud at this competition," Al Shafar said.
