Zeidan aims for higher ground

Nada Zeidan, Qatar’s first female rally driver, is here to take part in the Dubai International rally. Though competing in a male dominated sport, she is aiming for greater heights.

In an interview with the Gulf News, Zeidan spoke about her love for rallying and her experience as a rally driver.

Gulf News: How did you get interested in rallying?
Nada Zeidan: I used to go and watch rallies and it interested me a lot. However, I never thought that one day I would also become a rally driver.

It all happened when one day I got to read an article by Nasser bin Khalifa Al Attiyah, the President of the Qatar Motor Driving Federation in a magazine. He wrote that he was hoping to see a Qatari lady among the rally drivers. This gave me hope and I immediately went to the Federation and met Al Attiyah and discussed on how to become a rally driver.

GN: Describe your first experience as a rally driver?
NZ: I was nervous the first time. However, I was excited too. It was not easy to step into a sport only participated by men.

GN: Was there anyone to guide you?
NZ: Al Attiyah gave me useful tips. Being one of Qatar’s champion rally drivers, he had the experience to guide me properly. I consider him as my mentor.

GN: Tell us about your training schedule...
NZ: During the weekends, I usually drive for nearly two hours. Rallying is all about mastering techniques and that is often done through discussions. I am planning to get some more training sessions from some rally schools.

GN: How many countries have you competed in?
NZ: I started from Qatar and then participated in Syria and in Lebanon. Now I will take part in Dubai.

GN: What do you do other than rallying?
NZ: I am a qualified nurse. I work in the Doha Ahmad Hospital. I am also an accomplished archer. I participated in the Busan Asian Games in 2002.

GN: Have you gained enough sponsorship support?
NZ: Yes. Salam International Investment has supported me a lot. They gave me the car and also looked after its maintenance. Their support has encouraged me to think about achieving more in this sport.

GN: Any ambitions?
NZ: I want to participate in a lot of international competitions and bring glory to my country and thus reward the people who have encouraged me. I am happy that I have now opened the doors for more women to participate in this sport.