Promoting women in sport

Dubai Women's College recently launched the World Challenge Adventure Quest, a programme that hopes to encourage leadership, teamwork and communication skills and improve fitness. Amelia Naidoo reports

National women's teams in volleyball and basketball have been slow to come to fruition, said Shaikha Shamsa Bint Hasher Al Maktoum, Member of the UAE Volleyball Association Board and Head of the UAE Ladies Volleyball Committee.

"I hope to see in the future a women's national team for volleyball and basketball but they are taking their time. It's because they (Emirati female athletes) feel they will marry and they will stop. But if they are given a push they will make it," she said.

Shaikha Shamsa was speaking at the launch of the World Challenge Adventure Quest Programme at Dubai Women's College (DWC) recently.

The programme concentrates on promoting teamwork, leadership, communication, time management, problem-solving and respect.

Catch up, Dubai
Shaikha Shamsa said she wanted to see more such programmes implemented at universities in Dubai. She also encouraged female students to compete in team sports, as is common in Abu Dhabi.

"I see it in Abu Dhabi but not in Dubai. Students do not have time, they have studies that go on until late or their family may get angry."

She said girls ought to make more time to exercise and that strong women's teams were possible "but it's up to colleges and families".

"Nowadays we see ladies walking outside but 10 years ago they were not allowed to. Some families will not allow their daughters to exercise outside, however if you exercise by yourself you do not complete even one week," she said.

Shaikha Shamsa added that Emirati women are now starting to take care of their health to prevent conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

Adventure quest
DWC students are currently learning a number of sports. They include climbing walls, rope climbing, "action zones" and swimming.

The new Adventure Quest programme will be run by DWC's Health and Physical Education staff with the backing of World Challenge. It is designed to bring student and faculty teams closer and make them aware of the overall strength of a team by giving them a joint experience.

All DWC faculty have been trained to conduct the programme and have received First Aid training too.

"Throughout the Adventure Quest we use the policy 'challenge by choice' where students are offered the opportunity to participate and challenge themselves fully," said Suzanne Trease, chairwoman of the health and fitness programmes.

"DWC's Health and Physical Education team will push a student's comfort zone but like every job it's not about standing out in front. The supporting roles in a team, like the observer, time keeper and coordinator, are just as important as the lead role," she said.

Noora Mohammad, a DWC diploma foundation student, was excited about the new sports she was going to learn. "Sport is very important to us, to be more challenged and work together in one team. I do aerobics, machines and many sports."

Diploma student Aisha Al Marzouqi said she would enjoy the new programme, as "it will make the girls more active". She added: "We feel this is an adventure like we see on TV. I want to get on that rope and learn to climb it. I will try everything!"