Dubai: Mohammad Al Husseiny, an 18-year-old with Down syndrome, is hoping to inspire a generation of youngsters by becoming the first swimmer with his condition to conquer the English Channel.
A passionate champion swimmer from an early age, with the help of his coaches from the Stroke for Egypt Academy (SFEA), Al Husseiny has come out with flying colours in several international contests in his native Egypt.
As a young man who has always strived in life to excel above his immediate capabilities Al Husseiny boast a high self-esteem and says he is confident of completing the marathon 36-km swim from the South of England to the North of France in August next year.
“I don’t want anyone to judge me as a special needs kid, I am a normal person,” Al Husseiny said. “I am one hundred per cent confident that I will cross the Channel and make everyone who has supported me proud. My family, my coach, my country, Dubai.
“I believe I will achieve more than this in the future.”
The American University in the Emirates (AUE) is helping Al Husseiny reach his life goal but supporting his a yearlong rigorous training program, under the guidance of his coach Captain Khalid Shalaby, Chairman of SFEA, who despite having only one arm, was the first special needs swimmer to cross the English Channel in 1983.
Well accustomed to not only believing but also implementing its unique motto of “Nothing is Impossible” AUE have pledged to support El Husseiny from shore to shore, empowering him to reach new heights in his goal to become champion of the waters.
President and CEO of AUE, Professor Muthanna G. Abdul Razzaq also encourages leadership in all forms and said of the impressive initiative: “AUE is a place where dreams come true and we work to graduate leaders, that is why I am proud to support such a brave and hardworking person like Mohammad Al Husseiny.
“I believe that 13 swimmers with special needs have crossed the Channel but what Mohammad will attempt to accomplish is phenomenal and worth of a Guinness record.
“We at AUE believe that the University is not only about teaching but by also about helping young people to realise their ultimate goals.”
El Husseiny has commenced rigorous training under the watchful eye of Shalaby and Captain Sherwitte Hafez, an Olympic swimmer who represented Egypt at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympiad and is a gold medallist at the 4th All Africa Games in 1987.
Al Husseiny’s training regimen will see him swim for six hours over distances between 15 -20km. His workload with progressively increase until he can comfortably swim for close to 13 hours.
“I’m prepared to work hard to achieve this not only for myself but for all those who have supported and inspired me,” said Al Husseiny. “Inshallah I will cross the Channel and raise the flag of the UAE and Egypt.”
