Go out and play UAE National Sports Day, to be held today, promotes true sense of national identity

Perhaps, no other country, other than the United Arab Emirates, can boast of having more than 200 nationalities living together in peace and harmony. The UAE has changed the landscape in various fields, be it trade, technology, health and even sport.

And as the country braces to celebrate the second edition of the National Sports Day on Thursday, it is important to note the theme of the event — ‘The UAE Unites Us.’ Indeed, it has and as this year’s titles goes, ‘Emirates Brings Us Together.’ A plethora of sports events have bee lined up for the day, across the seven different emirates that make up the UAE, organised as per the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The UAE National Sports Day’s purpose is not just about merely practicing sport, living a healthy lifestyle, and goes beyond winning and losing. It is a celebration which brings together different communities who share a love for the UAE and creates a national identity.

As Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE NOC and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the National Sport Day, said: “The mission and objectives of the event go beyond the mere practicing of sports, cultural and recreational activities to make it an event that impacts the entire segments of the UAE community. It opens the way for exchanging cultures and knowledge between more than 200 nationalities living in coherence on the blessed land of our home country.”

And while, the UAE National Sports Day coincides with the GCC Sports Week, it must be said here that the country has become a major sporting destination and a sporting nation. And a bludgeoning schedule of events makes it a celebration of sport all through the year.

The UAE and its citizens have been spoilt for choice when it comes to sport. The Emiratis love their football and are very passionate about it, and that can be seen by their love for the national team as well as the different clubs that make up the UAE top flight — the Arabian Gulf League.

The UAE football team, under the guidance of Emirati Mahdi Ali, continues to turn heads, as was seen during the London Olympics and the AFC Asian Cup in Australia. They are in the midst of qualification for the World Cup to held in Russia next year.

The Arabian Gulf League, since turning professional in 2008, continues to unearth some good Emirati talent, who have gone on to serve the national team.

Also, the Emiratis passion for the falcon, the UAE’s national bird, is well known with the Fazza Championship for Falconry, held under the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center, taking the UAE back to its roots. And talking about roots, camels and horses have been an integral part of the UAE’s fabric from the bygone era. Camel racing and horse racing are popular sporting gatherings among the Emiratis, with even the expats showing a keen interest, in the latter.

The UAE is also a venue for top class sporting events like the Dubai World Cup, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, DP World Tour Championship, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Dubai Rugby Sevens, Dubai World Superseries Finals, the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, apart from having hosted events like the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL) and being home to Pakistan’s cricket tours.

The UAE is also a winter training destination for football clubs from around Europe and top international cricketers and some sporting stars have even made the country their home. UAE’s facilities were again in focus last week when the Australian cricketers trained in Dubai to prepare for their gruelling India tour.

So, it can be said that the UAE unites us as we celebrate sport.