Athletes described the harvest of the UAE sports delegation participating in the 15th Arab Games that was recently held in Algeria 2023 as “below ambition”, after obtaining the 11th place in the medal ranking table with the participation of 18 Arab countries, stressing that it was possible for Emirates sport to achieve better results and position than what Compared to the previous participations of UAE athletes in such forums, they demanded a review of the entire sports system so that UAE sport could regain its advanced position in various forums.
Algeria, the host country for the event, won 253 medals, including 105 gold, 76 silver and 72 bronze, while Tunisia ranked second with 121 medals (23 gold, 47 silver and 51 bronze). People of determination are not counted in the final standings of the medal table.
They told Emirates Today: “The position achieved by the Emirati sports delegation participating in the Arab Tournament in Algeria is without ambition for us as athletes. Therefore, the entire sports system must be reviewed, so that clear plans and strategies are developed in order to change the image for the better in the future.” All games.
The medals of the UAE delegation were distributed in 15 games, with five golds, six silvers and 16 bronzes, including five medals for people of determination, one silver and four bronzes.
Center without ambition
The former Secretary-General of the General Authority for Youth and Sports, Ibrahim Abdul-Malik, confirmed that the harvest of UAE athletes in the Arab Games is without ambition.
Abdul Malik asked: “Is the 11th place worthy of the reputation of the Emirates? For me, I do not think so, as UAE sport is supposed to be among the first seven countries in the ranking, compared to the results of the previous UAE, and therefore what was achieved for Emirati sport in the tournament does not satisfy any sports person in the Emirates.
Abdul Malik pointed out that “the achievements of Emirati sports, unfortunately, in Arab, Asian and continental sports forums do not satisfy ambition,” considering that “it could have been much better than what was achieved.”
Abdul Malik stressed that «Emirates sport had always had higher ambitions in the past, and it was seeking to be among the ranks of the very developed countries mathematically, especially at the Arab level». Strong sports, and that there is no clear vision, strategy, or capabilities, stressing that we should not place the blame on a specific party, indicating that the entire system is not ready, and that sports federations do not have capabilities and most of them suffer from a lack of material resources. Ibrahim Abdel-Malik stressed, “The importance of reconsidering the entire system, setting clear policies and strategies for sports in its inclusiveness, and then setting plans for each of the stages, setting specific goals for each stage, and it must have resources, in addition to providing the infrastructure and encouraging young people to join.” To clubs, to practice sports activities, to encourage and motivate them, and also to provide administrative human resources, whether administrative or technical, and this matter is extremely important.
Chess saved the ranking
For his part, the former Assistant Secretary General of the Football Association, Omran Abdullah, confirmed that, as an athlete, he is not satisfied with the position achieved by the UAE delegation during its participation in the last Arab tournament that was held in Algeria, considering that the UAE athletes participating in this event could have achieved a better position than what was achieved. He stressed that “if it were not for the medals achieved by chess, the ranking of the sports delegation would be lower than its current position.”
Omran Abdullah said, “Sports start from clubs, as they provide sports federations with players.”
Omran Abdullah stressed the importance of paying attention to sports, especially individual sports, whether at the level of sports clubs or federations, through the establishment of camps and plans for development, considering that the focus should be on clubs. Omran Abdullah added, “Football is currently receiving the most attention, and it gets 80% of the budgets, and other games get only 20%.” Imran Abdullah indicated that he was surprised that only five clubs are participating in the Basketball League, so how can they form a team, as he put it. And he demanded the need for future plans to change the image for the better, considering that when the flag of his country is raised in such forums, this represents for him pride and pride.
Our ambition is a better center
In turn, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ittihad Kalba Club, Issa Al-Dabbahi, stressed that the participation of the UAE sports delegation in the Arab League in Algeria is considered unsatisfactory, considering that compared to the existing capabilities, it was possible to obtain more medals, and for the delegation to compete for the first three places and not to win the 11th place. Stressing that although Algeria, the host country, won first place and a record number of medals, the capabilities of UAE sport are in his estimation better than Algeria.
Issa Al-Dhabahi added, “I hope in the upcoming tournaments that there will be better interest so that more medals can be won, and advanced positions can be obtained in such participations.”
National federations harvest medals
Chess: 5 medals (4 gold and 1 silver).
Sail: 5 medals (gold, silver and 3 bronze).
Cycling: two medals (silver and bronze).
Karate: two medals (two bronze).
Boxing: two medals (two bronze).
Fencing: 3 medals (two silver and one bronze).
Cycling: 3 medals (one silver and two bronze).
People of determination: 5 medals (silver and 4 bronze).
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