Dubai: The president of the UAE Weightlifting Federation (UAEWF) has predicted that the participation of Khadija Mohammad at the London Games will inspire other women to get involved in sport in this country and the Gulf region as a whole.
“The significance of such an event can never be understated. Sultan Bin Mejren told Gulf News.
“The qualification of Khadija Mohammad is a statement on behalf of sportswomen, not just in the UAE but in the entire Gulf region and beyond.
“This qualification gained by a woman weightlifter is just the beginning for us. This will motivate us to do even better for the future, and it will not be only in weightlifting, but in other sports as well.”
Khadija became only the second UAE woman to qualify for an Olympics after the UAE squad of six lifters came fifth at the 2012 Asian Weightlifting Championships held in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, earlier this summer.
As per the rules, that team effort was enough for the UAE to bag one of the six individual qualifying slots for the Games.
The UAE women’s squad consisted of Aliah Al Beloushi (58kgs), Abeer Faraj (63kg), Khadija, Latifa Al Merri (both 75kg), Yasmin Abbas and Al Anoud Faraj (both +75kg).
Khadija topped the performances when she lifted 50kg in the snatch and another 60kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 110kg, enough for seventh in the 75kg category.
Bin Mejren added: “We have proved through proper planning and execution that results can be achieved at the highest level, and it will be a proud moment for our country to have a presence at the London Games in women’s weightlifting.”
The UAEWF had to choose one athlete out of a list of six and went for Khadija.
She is currently on an intensive training camp in Turkey along with national team coach Najwan Al Zawawi.
“We have put in a lot of hard work to reach this stage and we can see a bright future ahead for UAE sports, in particular in weightlifting,” Bin Mejren said.
