Sporting community mourns loss of ‘charismatic leader’ who elevated country’s international profile
▶ Sheikh Khalifa drove the development of many activities in the country, including horse racing, football and martial arts, writes Amith Passela
Sporting organisations throughout the Emirates have paid their respects following the death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa.
All domestic sport activities in the country were called off as part of the official mourning period, which was announced after Sheikh Khalifa died on Friday at the age of 73.
Aref Al Awani, general secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said Sheikh Khalifa would be long remembered.
He spoke of the vast contributions of a visionary who established the emirate as a world-class venue for sports.
“The country has lost a great leader and we have lost a father,” Mr Al Awani said.
“May Allah bless his soul and grant him the highest ranks of paradise.”
Emirati football great Ismail Matar expressed his shock at Sheikh Khalifa’s death.
“I had the good fortune of meeting him personally when Al Wahda won the league in 1999, and a few times thereafter,” the footballer said. “He was a charismatic leader and his simplicity on that occasion is still fresh in my mind. It remains one of my best football memories. May Allah grant him the highest abode in Heaven.”
Sheikh Khalifa was also a driving force in promoting the purebred Arabian horse globally. He was the main patron of the President of the UAE Cup, now in its 29th year.
Faisal Al Rahmani is director of the race series, which is held every year across Europe, North Africa and the US.
He said Sheikh Khalifa’s contributions towards promoting the breed worldwide would be long remembered among the Arabian racing fraternity.
“Sheikh Khalifa was loved by the racing fraternity and will remain as a towering figure in the promotion of the Arabian horse globally,” he said.
Salem Al Ketbi, the general manager of Sheikh Khalifa’s Al Asayl Stables in Abu Dhabi, also said the President had taken a keen interest in promoting purebreds in the Emirates as well as globally.
“The Arabian horse is part of Arab heritage and culture, and His Highness encouraged his family members and the citizens of the country to be closely associated with either breeding, owning or riding them to keep in touch with the traditions,” Mr Al Ketbi said.
Nasser Al Tamimi, general secretary of the UAE Wrestling and Judo Federation, said: “We have lost a leader who upheld the vision of his father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, to ensure the nation’s progress and provide its citizens with the best of everything.”
The UAE Pro League, working in co-ordination with the UAE Football Association, has postponed the Adnoc Pro League and the Under 21 Pro League matches, both of which had been due to take place today.
The Pro League match week 24 has been moved to May 17, while the final rounds of the league will take place next weekend and on May 28-29.
He upheld the vision of his father to ensure the nation’s progress and provide its citizens with the best of everything NASSER AL TAMIMI
UAE Wrestling and Judo Federation