Jump on the bandwagon

Butti Ahmed Al Muhairi

Sailing
Age: 27
Birthplace: Dubai
Current hometown: Abu Dhabi
Pregame ritual: N/A
Day job: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing shore crew
Retirement plans: Recreational sailing

Coming from a family of sailors with a history that goes back more than 70 years, Al Muhairi loves the sea. His passion, coupled with his education and experience, has given him the upper hand in pursuing his sailing ambitions. It’s not easy though. “We start at eight in the morning and finish by midnight — that’s almost 16 hours a day,” he says. He laughs off retirement plans and says that sailing will always be a part of his life, regardless of his age. When asked about the future of his beloved sport in the countr y, he says that he would like to see more Emiratis take part in the game.

Get involved:
If you are interested in recreational sailing, get in touch with the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club or the Emirates Sailing School for further information on how you can set sail and drift away.

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Jonathan Mullan

Motor racing
Age: 36
Birthplace: Newry, Northern Ireland
Current hometown: Abu Dhabi
Pregame ritual: Handshake with teammate Theo
Day job: Project Director at EC Harris International
Retirement plans: N/A

After winning the UAE Touring Car Championship mini-endurance race in Februar y this year, Mullan has his sights set on the upcoming UAE Touring Car Championship and the 2013 Dubai 24 Hours races. His favourite sports personality is Tommy Br yne, who is, as he puts it, “Ireland’s, and arguably the world’s, best motor racing driver that no one has heard of. ” Looking ahead, Mullan hopes to see a greater development of national motor racing and support from UAE sports bodies in order to further develop the sport.

Get involved:
Attend a few track days and then apply for your race licence through the Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi or the Dubai Autodrome. After that, get yourself registered at the Automobile Touring Club, acquire a nifty sports car and burn up the track.

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Qazi Ayub

Cricket
Age: 48
Birthplace: Lahore, Pakistan
Current hometown: Abu Dhabi
Pregame ritual: Right foot first, while entering the cricket ground
Day job: Assistant Vice-President at United Bank Limited
Retirement plans: N/A

This winner of two trophies — the United Bank Limited (UBL) T20 Cup and the Abu Dhabi Cricket Club (ADCC) President’s Cup — and two runners-up prizes in the last year, spends his free time coaching kids at the Zayed Cricket Academy. Ayub says he would like to see more Emiratis play cricket: “I heard about the three Emirati players
who recently represented the UAE in the Asian Cricket Council Under-16 Challenge Cup. With the U19 World Cup scheduled in the UAE for 2014, this would be the perfect time to mould them.”

Get involved:
For regular exposure to the sport, youngsters aged eight to 19 can sign up for academy membership at the ADCC for Dh300 a month.

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Erikas Savickas

Sports bike racing
Age: 36
Birthplace: Vilnuis, Lithuania
Current hometown: Abu Dhabi
Pregame ritual: Meditation
Day job: IT Engineer
Retirement plans: N/A

Savickas loves watching race videos, hitting the gym and ordering parts online for his bike. He also loves clinging off his motorcycle, while powering through corners, inches away from the tarmac. “If you like speed and pushing your machine to the extreme, you have to get on the track,” he says. His ultimate goal is to participate in the Superbike World Championship or Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, but for now, he is set on beating previous lap times at the Dubai Autodrome. He hopes to see motor sport flourish in the country. “I would love to see new sports in the Emirates, any sport. It makes people stronger, better, smarter and more successful,” he says.

Get involved:
Pass the required tests and get your race licence at the Dubai Autodrome, decide which class you want to race in and drive.

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Alistair Thompson

Rugby
Age: 33
Birthplace: Hawick, Scotland
Current hometown: Abu Dhabi
Pregame ritual: N/A
Day job: Head of Biology at The British School Al Khubairat
Retirement plans: Coaching

Born in a town that produced several Scottish rugby stars, Thompson jokes about how he didn’ t have a choice but to play rugby. So far, the highest point in his career was last year, when he played against Hong Kong for the UAE. The future, he hopes, would see several trophies make their way to the Abu Dhabi Harlequins cabinet. His spare time is
filled with rugby and family. “My wife Yvonne is very patient and supportive of my second love! I have a 20-month-old son. I am currently teaching him how to pick up and run with a ball,” he says.

Get involved:
Call Abu Dhabi Harlequins Membership Secretary Ben Crompton on +971-50-614-5199 for details. The next season begins in September.

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Kelyann Davey

Rugby
Age: 30
Birthplace: Hereford, England
Current hometown: Abu Dhabi
Pregame ritual: Team chant
Day job: Physical Education Teacher
Retirement plans: N/A

Davey’s parents have always encouraged and supported her, regardless of what sport she played. This encouragement was one of the many factors that helped her team win the Dubai Rugby Sevens back in 2008. “Supporters are really important. We try to communicate with them about what we’re doing and get them involved,” says Davey. With high hopes for her sport here in the countr y and sporting events in general, the sky is the limit for this English sportswoman. When asked about which sports she would like to see in the UAE, Kellyann says, “There is a variety here and if we are lucky — maybe even the Olympics.”

Get involved:
Call Abu Dhabi Harlequins Membership Secretary Ben Crompton on +971-50-614-5199 for details. The next season begins in September.

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Rashid Mohammad Alali

Basketball
Age: 21
Birthplace: Abu Dhabi
Current hometown: Abu Dhabi
Pregame ritual: Calls mum for luck
Day job: Abu Dhabi Policeman
Retirement plans: Coaching

Having played basketball ever since he was a child, Alali’s inspiration comes from his coaches and his family. The highlight of his career so far was when he scored 25 points against Sharjah — his previous team. He aims to win the local league with his current team Baniyas, and the Basketball Arabian Gulf Cup with the UAE national team. His  advice to youngsters is, “Practice hard, sleep well, eat healthy, listen to older players and pursue your dreams.” His dream is to see basketball gather as strong a fan base as football has in the Emirates.

Get involved:
If you’re interested in basketball, head over to your nearest club, speak to the team coach or manager and take it from there.

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