Dubai: The UAE's sailing champion Adil Khalid will stop at nothing short of a podium finish at this month's Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

"I have been planning and dreaming of this event for the past few months now. All that I have done is think how I am going to be on the podium wearing the UAE flag on my back," Khalid told Gulf News from Lake Garda in Italy where he has been training for the past few days.

The UAE sailing champion left for Italy today at the end of last month on the final leg of his preparations for the Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou from November 12 to 27.

Khalid will be sailing in the Standard class and will be joined by 12-year-old Hamoud Salem Zeyadi in the Optimist class at the Asian Games sailing to be held at the coastal town of Shanwei from November 14 to 21.

Khalid, who came in third in the Standard Class at the Beach Games held in Bahrain last month, will be joined by his sail coach Trevor Miller in China.

Though the sailing competition will start on November 14, the medals will be decided on the last two days [November 20-21], six on the first and the remaining eight on the final day.

Regret

"I have worked hard in staying fit for the Asian Games. I have put in a lot of time in the gym and on the water. But the most important thing is that I should have spent more time competing against top sailors in Europe," Khalid regretted.

Facing him as challengers will be sailors from Japan, South Korea and Singapore who have been traditionally strong in this sport. And with the onset of winter, the winds and waves will be stronger.

"But I am confident as I have sailed at this venue [Shanwei] last year [during the Asian Sailing Championships]. The winds are normally between 20 to 25 knots and these are perfect conditions for sailing. I think I have grown enough as a sailor over the past few months to make this final push for a medal for my country," Khalid said.

Khalid is due to return to the UAE on November 7 and then depart for China a couple of days later. "My preparations here have been going on well. I now need to work out the tactics for the Asian Games races with my coach," Khalid offered.