Asian Cycling Championships get under way

Dubai: The results of hard work are bound to be seen in the near future according to one of the top officials from the UAE Cycling Association (UAECA).

"We are bound to see cyclists from the UAE figuring in the medals table in the next three to four years," Khalfan Al Nuaimi, Vice-President of the UAECA, told Gulf News at the Zayed Velodrome yesterday.

"We knew we were up against all odds while trying to promote cycling in the UAE during the past few years. But now with this velodrome we feel so confident of the growth of cycling among our youth," Al Nuaimi added.

The Zayed Velodrome opposite Sharjah International Airport was handed over to the UAECA by the General Authority of Youth and Sports (GAYSW) at the end of last year.

"In just two months our riders have shown an enthusiasm we have never seen before. This gives us tremendous confidence we are on the right path," the official said. "I can see our riders improving all the while. We are in such an advantageous position at the moment as we can at least say we have a team for the future."

The UAE is preparing to host the 30th Asian Cycling Championships and the 17th Asian Junior Cycling Championships that got under way with a formal opening ceremony at the Zayed Velodrome yesterday.

Shaikh Essam Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman, Chairman of Sharjah Department of Culture and Information, was one of the several top officials who graced the hour-long ceremony.

"It has been a lot of hard work to have the UAE as the first Arab nation to stage such a prestigious event. And now that this has been achieved we hope to do our best and stage the best event in the history of this competition," Al Nuaimi added.