Preparations on cue for Fina event

He was president of the UAE Handball Association and then general secretary of Al Wasl Club for more than a decade. So when Obaid Al Shamsi was called on to take over as the championships director for the 10th Fina World Swimming Championships (25 metres) he knew he could utilise his talent and experience to help stage possibly one of the biggest international sporting events in the region this year.

The world competition will be held at the state-of-the-art Dubai Sports Complex that is scheduled to be handed over on October 10. Al Shamsi talks of the various challenges that lie ahead as the UAE cruises towards yet another sporting success:

 GULF NEWS: How have the preparations been going for the 10th Fina World Swimming Championships?

OBAID AL SHAMSI: The good news is that we are on schedule as far as the construction of the new complex. We are supposed to hand over a fully operational stadium to Fina next month, and I am proud to say that we will keep up to our promised date of 10-10-10.

 What are the high points of the complex?

To start with, this is a state-of-the-art venue that can be used to stage multi-ple sports events. It has a seating capacity of 17,000 and it can also be used for other activities such as concerts, etc.

 How is this competition unique?

This is the first time that such an event is being held in the Middle East. This is the second largest competition on Fina's international swimming calendar. This is being hosted by the Government of Dubai through the Dubai Sports Council, who has set a hand-over date of 10-10-10 as per instructions from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

 How do you think this event can help the sport of swimming?

The complex and this competition is going to be good for the sport, not just the Emiratis but also the large expat population that we have in the UAE. It will goad others to take up the sport. And since it will be a multi-sport venue it will also encourage people to be more sporting minded.

 What would be the highlight of the Dubai Championships?

The last competition in Manchester saw 117 countries participating. We want to get past this figure and have swimmers from at least 120 countries competing in Dubai. We have already touched the 100 mark. This is a good indicator of things to come.

 How are the various committees coping with the requirements laid down by Fina?

Fina has so many regulations laid down that need to be followed. So our first job is to ensure we are well co-ordinated in following these statutes. There are deadlines to be met on several key aspects including transportation, construction, accreditation or hospitality. All the local organising committees are working day and night to ensure that the deadlines are met. The government departments such as the police, health, municipality and RTA are also heavily involved. This is not the first time that Dubai is hosting such an event; so the emphasis, as in the past, is always to have the best here.

 There was talk that the economic slowdown was a major deterrent for this championship.

The economic slowdown is something that has affected the whole world. It does not apply merely to Dubai. But sport is supposed to rise above all such things and I think we have been doing exactly this by hosting such an event. Of course, the Government of Dubai has been solidly behind us all along and that has helped us achieve so many of our goals.

 How does the UAE Swimming Association figure here?

The UAE Swimming Association is a very important part of the event. And for us to have a UAE team at the competition would be a definite plus as our swimmers will not only get the desired exposure among some of the world's best swimmers, but they will also get an experience they will not forget.

 What about the test event after the hand-over of the complex?

We are in the process of planning an international swimming competition some time at the beginning of November at the new complex. It is too early to disclose any solid plans, but for sure we are debating a competition involving Gulf countries and some Arab countries. We are yet to decide on the number of teams.

 Any further details?

Maybe we will be in favour of five or six teams from the region. The basic idea is to have a test event that will give everyone a chance to compete and see how the venue works.

 Each of the clubs in Dubai now has a swimming pool. How will this help?

These pools have been set up as per Fina requirements as they will be utilised by teams to train prior to the competition. The Fina delegation has visited these pools and they have been pleased with what they have seen.

 What about spectators?

Getting people to the venue is one of the major challenges for us. We have been working hard to see how we can attract people over the five days of the competition. To start with, we will have the ticket launch later this month and that will be a huge indicator for us. It is also very important for us to have the complex up and running as we need to make the people aware of the competition. We are focusing on the schools and the expat community to get them to come and join us. We are trying to create a fun-filled family atmosphere at the venue while also driving home the point that there is continuous excitement in the swimming pool merely because of the number of medals on offer. Each race is a separate competition and there are medals to be won every day.

 What about facilities for the spectators?

We accept the fact that the complex is situated outside the city and hence there are talks on having a regular shuttle service to and from the venue during the five days of the competition on December 15-19.