Bates wants to engage local talent

Dubai: The 10th Fina World Swimming Championships (25 metres) organisers say they are working on a comprehensive plan to further involve UAE residents in the lead-up to the international event here in December.

The championships' chief operating officer Lynne Bates told Gulf News: "We have a comprehensive plan in mind whereby we can get the local communities involved and engaged in this competition".

"As much as we would like to have the UAE nationals involved, we would also love to reach out to the various expatriate nationalities here in the country," Bates said. As part of its promotion, championships organisers and Dubai Sports Council members have embarked on an ambitious programme that will see 10,000 children learn to swim before the competition is staged here from December 15 to 19.

Official mascot

At the end of June, the official mascot, "Ehmisa" the turtle, was unveiled with much fanfare at the Mina A Salam Hotel.

Ehmisa is to spearhead the championships' publicity campaign in UAE schools and swimming clubs.

Dubai 2010 will be the first time that the Fina World Swimming Championships (25 metres) has been held in the Middle East. These championships are to be held at the new state-of-the-art Dubai Sports Complex, within Dubailand, that boasts of a seating capacity of more than 15,000. Mauritania was the first national federation to register for the championships, and more than 100 countries have signed up to take part in the championships.

Team USA is expected to have the largest contingent with more than 75 swimmers, coaches and technical staff. Bates said: "We have been way ahead of the schedule in our preparations for the competition".

"We have the medals designed and in the near future this will be made public," she said.

Finer touches

"The ticket launch will also be held by the end of the month."

The finer touches are also being put on the construction of the Dubai Sports Complex off Al Khail Road.

"The construction is going on at a very fast pace and the complex will be handed over on the decided date of 10-10-10," she said. The various organising committees were also constantly in meetings to decide on some of the finer details of the competition such as signs, fencing, podiums, catering and even bouquets for the medal winners.

"This will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people to come and witness a top-class competition involving some of the best swimmers in the world competing in a state-of-the-art venue," Bates said.

"This is the legacy that we will leave behind for the sport."

Bates urged Dubai residents to get involved, to help make the competition a true success.