Skater carves out recognition for Emirati women in sport
For UAE figure skating star Zahra Lari, not every victory takes place out on the ice.
The trailblazing 23-year-old does not only have to prove herself against fierce competition from around the globe, she also has to battle her share of misconceptions in her drive to put Emirati women on the sporting map.
Being a natural on ice while coming from a desert nation is enough to set her apart, but she also had to contend with having points deducted by judges – not for her footwork, but for her headscarf.
In 2012 she became the first Arab woman to skate before a professional international judging panel while wearing traditional attire.
But delight turned to despair when Lari had points deducted for a dress code offence. She campaigned for the rules to be changed and was subsequently allowed to wear a headscarf without fear of being marked down.
It was a victory as important as any place on a podium.
“The message I try to send to all Emirati women is just to try to break the stereotypes that people may still have,” Lari says.
The UAE today celebrates Emirati Women’s Day and Lari is proud to represent her country around the world.
She believes Emirati women have had the chance to grow and become empowered in recent years, and she is happy to be part of the transformation.
Lari says she still comes across stereotypes about the role of women in the UAE when she competes at international competitions.
“Some people tend to think that women in the UAE don’t do anything because they aren’t allowed to, and just stay home while the men do everything,” she says.
“This is wrong and we are trying to show that it is not like that.”
While skating, she has been asked: “How does the UAE have an ice rink when it is a desert country?”
“Once I was asked if I went to the ice rink on a camel,” Lori says. “That was the first year when I was competing inter-
Lari was not only the first UAE figure skater to compete internationally but also the first skater to compete in a hijab
nationally, but now everyone knows the UAE and I don’t get such comments any more.”
At international events, the UAE team usually consists of Lari alone. She is the only Emirati figure skater qualified to compete at an Olympic level.
She was the first to qualify for the Winter Olympics and draws strength from the kinship of fellow athletes.
“The support I get is huge from the other teams,” says Lari. “When I go on the ice, the support is unbelievable.”
She is also an ambassador for the Special Olympics World Games, to be held in Abu Dhabi next year.
“I’m honoured to be part of it and it is an honour for it to be hosted here in the UAE and in Abu Dhabi in particular,” Lari says. “The idea behind it, and the vision of the UAE, is to include everyone in society.
“The fact that we can encourage people with disabilities and show them they can do anything they want to do is the main reason I want to be a part of it.
“I want them to show that they are amazing athletes and to make them believe in themselves and show the world their abilities.”
She urges Emirati women to never give up on their dreams.
“I tell Emirati women to follow their dreams and to try to find that thing they are really passionate about and give it 100 per cent.
“There will be bad days and good days, and on those bad days they have to think about why they love it and that will make them stronger in the future.
“Just follow your dreams and don’t let anyone stop you from doing what you love to do.”