THE PRIDE OF OUR OLYMPIANS: ‘I WANT TO WIN FOR THE UAE’

More than 100 UAE competitors have been in training at a range of venues across Al Ain. Soon they will be ready to take on the opposition and boost national pride by bringing home the medals

Mixing daily training sessions with outdoor activities helps to keep the athletes geared up for the coming Special Olympics Mena Games.

More than 100 UAE athletes have been in training for the past two weeks at different venues across Al Ain, from bowling arenas in malls to swimming pools in hotels, arenas and grounds within clubs.

On Wednesday it will all get under way in Abu Dhabi, with the event running until March 23.

Khaled Al Hajari, who is part of the country’s athletics team, said this year’s competition was exciting.

Asked if he is nervous about squaring off against more than 1,000 athletes at the Mena Games, Al Hajari shrugged. “It’s OK. It makes me strong, more and more strong.”

The heat kept the players working out in the gym during the day, with football, swimming and athletics sessions scheduled for the evening.

Basketball and bowling were among the sports for which the athletes practised twice a day.

Maryam Al Hosseni has won medals in local and international games in bowling.

“I feel good when bowling. Yes, I want to win for the UAE,” said Al Hosseni, smiling as she scored a strike.

Her mother, Zafarana Khamiz, said other citizens would understand the effort the athletes have put in once the games begin.

“They will see their skills and it will change attitudes,” Ms Khamiz said. “There are people who don’t know how capable they are, but when they read about their achievements and see them, they will understand.”

Swimming coach Jamal Nasser blew kisses to his team as they headed out after a workout for light refreshments.

“You have to first be their friend, someone who makes them happy,” Nasser said before evening training. “Only then will they exercise and repeat the same exercises and perform well.”

The teams stretched before running on the treadmill and in a nearby park. Some groups were taken to Al Ain Zoo for a much-needed break over the weekend.

Nasser planned a trip to Jebel Hafeet for his team before they went to Abu Dhabi for the competition.

“Some of them don’t understand the concept of time so they keep asking. They want to know, ‘Why delay? Why so late? When we will play?’” he said. “They understand they are a delegation representing the country.”

Safia Al Shateri, who co-ordinates schedules with parents and coaches, spoke of the rising excitement.

“There is excitement building up for the players and also for us,” said Ms Al Shateri, who works with the Abu Dhabi club. “The teams are ready. This is all also a preparation for 2019.”

She was referring to the Special Olympics World Games to be hosted next year by Abu Dhabi – a first for the region.

This year’s Mena Games will mark a regional record, with 40 per cent of visiting teams made up of women. Sixty-four of the 180 athletes representing the UAE will be women and they will take part in 16 sports.

More than 429 female athletes and 168 female trainers from 31 countries will participate in athletics, swimming, badminton, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, equestrian, football, gymnastics, power lifting, tennis, table tennis, roller skating, handball and volleyball.

Basketball will have the most women at 90, followed by 70 in athletics and 44 swimmers.

“Now the Special Olympics is coming to Abu Dhabi, we all need to understand the importance of getting involved,” said Emirati Houriya Taheri, the first Arab woman to receive a professional coaching licence and the UAE women’s national football team coach.

“People with intellectual disabilities are achieving so much and they should be recognised and supported. We as women have this beautiful opportunity to play for our country and for ourselves.

“Despite all of the stereotypes and old family traditions, we can still be part of positive change.”

More than 1,000 athletes from 31 countries will take part in the Mena Games in eight venues in the capital, including Adnec, Zayed Sports City, Yas Marina Circuit, New York University Abu Dhabi, Officers’ Club, Mubadala IPC Arena, Al Jazira Sports Club and Al Forsan Club.