Final journey home for hero of athletics in the Emirates
The Emirati athlete who died in a training accident in London last week will be returned today to be buried in his hometown.
Abdullah Hayayei, 36, was crushed when a metal cage collapsed on him during a training session at Newham Leisure Centre last Tuesday.
The father of five had been due to compete the World Para Athletics Championships, which began on Friday.
He will be buried in Qidfa, Fujairah, this afternoon.
“Abdullah was a son of this country and went to London to represent the UAE and hold its flag up high,” his eldest brother, Rashed, 51, said last night. “Now he is coming back home to us.”
A Metropolitan Police investigation into the accident is under way to determine if anyone was at fault.
“Right now our focus is on bringing his body back home,” Rashed said. “However, we will not forget what happened and investigations are going forward. Whoever is responsible for my brother’s death will be held accountable.”
Hayayei had rebuilt his life after almost being killed on an Armed Forces exercise in 2001, resulting in severe nerve damage and disability.
He made his Paralympics debut at the 2016 Rio Games, finishing sixth in the javelin and seventh in shot put in the F34, a category for seated throws.
His family anticipate a significant turnout of relatives, friends and members of the community.
“We chose this mosque because it is big enough to welcome all of Abdullah’s friends and teammates. Abdullah was loved by everyone and we are all saddened by his loss,” Rashed said.
On Monday, Hayayei’s teammate Mohammed Al Hammadi won the UAE’s first medals – a silver and bronze – at the World Para Athletics Championships.
The Emirati was runner-up in the men’s 400-metre wheelchair T34 category and before that finished third in the 100-metre race on Day 4 of the competition at the Olympic Stadium.
Al Hammadi dedicated the medals to Hayayei, saying: “This is for my brother Abdullah.”
Dr Abdel Razag bin Rasheed, head of the Khor Fakkan Sports Club for the Disabled who trained Hayayei since 2011, said that all events would be dedicated to him.
“Abdullah was a national pride. Every tournament we participate in and every medal we win will be dedicated to him,” Dr bin Rasheed said.
“We will never forget him. We hope that justice will be served and his rights don’t go to waste.
Hayayei will be buried at Qidfa cemetery after prayers.