Asiad performance will boost sporting culture in the UAE

Faisal Al Ketbi’s gold in jiu-jitsu on Saturday took the UAE’s yellow metal tally to match its best ever at the Asian Games. The country already has three gold medals in its kitty which is on par with the Doha performance in 2006. At the Doha event the UAE also bagged four silver and three bronze, but the team looks good to break that record at this Asiad in which they also have four silver and one bronze so far. It has been a slow start in Indonesia for the country after five days of agonising wait to break into the medals list, but this swift medal rush will boost the athletes’ confidence and lift spirits back home. Jiu-jitsu and jet ski, which debuted at these Games, have been strong events for the country, and these results come from a focused approach. The country is playing to its strengths, or competing in winnable events.

The team is a mix of youth and experience. Friday’s jiu-jitsu gold medallist Hamad Nawad just celebrated his 18th birthday. Jet ski winner Ali Al Anjawi is a 37-year-old veteran. Faisal Al Ketbi, at 30, is considered the face of jiu-jitsu in the country and his win is testament to sports administrators keeping faith in sportspersons who have served the cause well. They will eventually deliver when it matters is the thinking. Jakarta, in a sense, is a coming of age for the sporting system in the country that has so much potential with youth on its side. Women athletes are also leading the charge with 17-year-old Mahra Al Hannai picking up a silver, again in jiu-jitsu. There’s spirit and a new attitude that could pay dividends in the future. But this performance in Jakarta hasn’t come without heartbreak. Khalid Al Mazmi missed the bronze by a whisker. He finished third in the jet ski 1100 Runabout Stock. The result was contested and he had to settle for the fifth spot. Despite the disappointments, the performance in Jakarta should be a building block for greater achievements. It proves Emirati athletes are made of sterner stuff. A sports culture is what the country needs and these exploits could trigger not just celebrations but hard work on the sports field.