Maitha stays buoyant about UAE's medal hopes

Doha: Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the UAE karate team will be targeting the gold medal as they prepared to participate in the Asian Games in Doha.

Before leaving for Doha, the UAE team had completed a one-month karate team training camp for the ladies at Dubai's Zabeel Club.

"Our goal is to go to Doha and do our best. We have dominated at the Gulf and Arab levels, now it is time to move a step higher and establish ourselves at the Asian level," Shaikha Maitha told Gulf News.

"We may not have a rich background in karate like some of the other countries, but we will have our eyes on winning the gold medal."

Shaikha Maitha also highlighted the role played by her father, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"He is not just my father. He is a true sportsman and my best guide," Shaikha Maitha said. "He's always there for me in all that I do. He keeps on reminding me of my goals, and no matter what, he is always backing me. He is even involved in our training and he keeps on setting realistic goals."

Muina Jadid, the team's trainer said the training camp chose participants for Doha according to well studied standards, concentrating on teams with past experience.