Shatha Al Romaithi, communications manager, Local Organising Committee, Fifa Club World Championship. Her words:
I was born in California and lived there until I turned four.
My father was doing his postgraduate studies and research during the time of my birth. I have an elder sister who is older by two years. Having moved to Dubai almost three decades ago, I studied primarily at Dubai Women's College to be a corporate communications specialist along with a course in graphic designing. An important part of my life involved being in Dubai and as a result I consider myself to be very fortunate. I am very grateful to my parents and for my heritage that profoundly influenced who I've become.
I decided to devote myself and become more visible professionally after working as a graphic designer for a short period of time. The idea of sitting in front of a computer was too hard to digest. I was prompted to join Emaar Properties as a public relations officer and that really kicked off my career. I gradually expanded my activities and climbed up the corporate ladder by being involved in event management, marketing and corporate management.
A turnaround in my professional life came about when I was headhunted for the position of communications manager by the local organising committee of Fifa while I was the marketing manager at Emaar Properties. Despite being a football lover since my teenage years the real challenge was working as a professional in the industry rather than just being a football fan. It is a totally different experience. It was extremely challenging since I only had a basic idea about what goes behind the scenes in this male-dominated sport.
My interests have been reading literature, writing, horse riding and now it is football.
Having indulged in horse riding from a very early age, I am very much engaged in the sport. What I love the most is the sense of freedom it brings, at least that's how I feel. I love horses. They are very sensitive animals by nature and react to your moves as well as feelings. However, riding during summer is not a good practice as it exhausts the animal and the rider gets tired too.
I truly enjoyed reading literature and felt that this was a way to hone my writing skills as well as to engage in some healthy and meaningful dialogues with myself. I used to put down the outpourings of my heart on paper whenever I had the time. It is a form of self-therapy.
I was amazed and over the moon when, as a teenager, a film review of mine was published in the Arabic newspaper Al Khaleej.
For the Fifa Club World Championship in Abu Dhabi, which takes place from December 8-18, our organising committee has scheduled various programmes to teach students about the skills of the clubs participating in the Championship. Special dance performances will be held in different malls and open areas around the city. We have Football Heads, big mascots wearing jerseys of all the seven participating clubs. There is a pre-tournament fun zone which will be open at Football Village at the Corniche prior to the Fifa Club World Championship. The most exciting event I am looking forward to is ‘Match in the Sky' where a team of acrobats will be playing football on a pitch suspended from the sky.
In the Fifa Club World Championship 2010, we are looking forward to connecting football with the community of Abu Dhabi as well as showcasing our culture and heritage. The Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2010 brings together the club champions from six continental confederations: Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania, as well as the winning team from the host city's national league. They will compete to be crowned Club World Cup champions over 11 days of action at Zayed Sports City and Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
I am looking forward to the legacy that the UAE will leave behind after the Fifa Championship. Our local committee has introduced an e-ticketing service which is the first time in the history of Fifa.
Al Wahda Club is representing the UAE in the Championship. I have seen them practice really hard and hope they will be rewarded for their efforts.
I see football as an ideology because it is driven by the idea of self-dedication.
There is a distinct degree of pride felt by those who enjoy the sport. To a good footballer, years of hard practice under good coaches and through different playing levels are essential. At this time, they refrain from all entertainment so that their concentration is not lost. This kind of dedication the players have has never ceased to amaze me.
I feel proud to be a part of this country and expect the Middle East to do a lot more in the future.
Each person has a path to walk on earth, and each path is different.
I always give importance to planning and scheduling the important things of life. Yet some things happen out of the box and only happen once in a lifetime. I am not sure when Fifa will come back to this country again. Playing an important role in helping put Abu Dhabi on the map as a sporting destination was wonderful and rewarding. I am optimistic and wish for more such opportunities to come in the future. Having a master's degree in Strategic Management, I hope to pursue my PhD after the Fifa event.
Having lived abroad, my parents had a broad vision about the different cultures and encouraged positive practices. My relatives across all age groups are extremely supportive of my career as well as ideas. I had a teenage cousin who would scan the newspapers and make clippings of my interviews during the last Fifa season. I was really amazed to learn that I have been a role model for the youngsters in my family.
There were mixed reactions to me being involved in what is seen as a largely masculine sport. I hope to see the women in our community steal the limelight by displaying a combination of grace, modernity and tradition.
The Fifa Club World Championship 2010 is being held from December 8-18
