Dubai: The UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC) has called for an improved engagement from the private sector to ensure sporting excellence for future generations in the country.
“Everyone in the UAE has rights and duties and it is the duty of everyone, especially from the private sector, to back initiatives involving society that will ensure the sporting future of the UAE,” Ahmad Al Tayeb, Head of Sport and Technical Affairs at UAE NOC told Gulf News.
“What we need is for everyone to show a common vision that has already been laid down by our leaders. We need engagement at all levels, and if we have a better involvement from the private sector then things can only get better for our country,” he added.
Al Tayeb was speaking at the announcement of the Asian Games Fun Run to be held in Al Khawaneej, Dubai on February 4 (Sunday). Organised in league with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) by the UAE NOC, Dubai is the third stop for the fun run after Lahore and Dhaka held in December. He was accompanied by Elena Hristova Chakarova, OCA’s International Relations Officer, Wissam Trkmani, from the OCA President’s Office and Jeans Zhou Jian, the OCA Media Manager.
After Dubai, the fun run will travel to Doha [February 8], Maldives [February 10] and Lebanon [February 25] before covering another four cities during March. The 18th Asian Games involving 40 sports and 462 events will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2.
“As the primary body for sports in the UAE it is our responsibility to give society a correct image that sport practice is essential to a healthy lifestyle. At the same time we need to lead our younger generation by example while giving them an adequate platform to prove their talent,” Al Tayeb noted.
Sunday’s fun run is scheduled to be flagged off at 9.30am at Al Khawaneej on the outskirts of Dubai. “Our goal is to touch 28 cities within a time span of eight months. The fun run is meant to educate and celebrate the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang,” Jeans Zhou Jian said.
“This concept of the fun run was first initiated prior to the 2006 Doha Asian Games and since then we have seen the fruit while reaching out to society on a bigger scale,” he added.
“Our hope is that future generations understand the Olympic values of excellence, fair play and friendship. These are positive aspect that can help build society better,” he added.
