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From Sheikha Maitha to Omar Abdulrahman: Celebrating sporting success on UAE National Day
To celebrate the 44th UAE National Day, we are looking back on some of the stars and achievements to have marked the country’s proud sporting history.
Since gaining independence in 1971, the UAE has - thanks to its enviable resources and geographic advantages - developed into one of the most diverse and arguably the most important sporting territory in the world.
Now the UAE can boast a variety of world class sporting events including golf's DP World Championship, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens and Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships - to name but a few.
Aside from great events, the UAE has many of its own sporting stars. Here is a selection of some of the greatest.
Ahmed Khalil - Football
Ahmed Khalil's rise to 2015 AFC Player of the Year has showcased Emirati sporting achievement at its finest. The 24-year-old has earned his success, rising from a bench-bound and goal-shy forward to become the continent's outstanding footballer.
He has stood tall for club and country, notching key strikes as Al Ahli made the 2015 AFC Champions League final and the UAE finished third in January's Asian Cup. Emirati football has been on an upwards curve in recent years. Khalil's accolade and the progress of his team-mates is something which should be cherished on National Day.
Sheikh Ahmad Mohammad Hasher Al Maktoum – Shooting
Sheikh Ahmad had the honour of winning his country’s first ever Olympic Gold medal at Athens in 2004. The sharp-shooter reached the pinnacle of his sport, winning the double trap event and finishing fourth in the single event. He pioneered an initiative to improve shooting standards in the UAE and helped coach young Brit Peter Wilson, who won gold at the 2012 Olympics.
Mohammad Khamis Khalaf – Powerlifting
In Athens 2004, Mohammad Khamis Khalaf became the first Emirati to win a gold medal in the Paralympic Games thanks to his powerlifting heroics in the 217kg weight category. When asked what pushes him to continue in the sport, having already achieved top accolades on all regional, continental and worldwide stages he promptly said: “I fell in love with this sport. It symbolises challenge and strength. If you don’t train for a week you come back and have to start from scratch. This is why I admire powerlifting – because you can never stop.”
Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum – Martial arts and polo
Sheikha Maitha, daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, became the first Emirati woman to compete at the Olympics when she took part in the 67kg taekwondo competition. The Sheikha carried the flag into the Beijing Olympic Stadium in 2008 and had previously won the silver medal in the Women’s Over- 60kg Karate event in the 2006 Asian Games. To cement her place in UAE sporting folklore, Sheikha Maitha broke new ground for women in the Emirates by bringing to the Middle East the first-ever ladies-only polo tournament.
Sultan Zarawani – Cricket
Under Zarwani’s leadership, the UAE won the 1994 ICC Trophy in Kenya which earned them qualification for the 1996 Cricket World Cup. He also captained the UAE in their first-ever One Day International match, which was played against India. Although his team was defeated, Zarawani did manage to capture one wicket - that of Sachin Tendulkar.
Adnan Al Talyani – Football
Sharjah-born Adnan Al Talyani is a name synonymous with UAE football ,with 164 caps for the national team. After announcing his retirement, a testimonial match was played in his honour between Italian champions Juventus and an All-Star team of players from various countries. Fittingly he has since been named the UAE's Player of the Century
Mohammed bin Sulayem – Motorsport
If football and cricket are the UAE’s favourite team sports, motorsports must surely be the favourite individual pursuit. Mohammed bin Sulayem is the most successful driver of the Middle East Rally Championship, having won 14 championships and 60 races, and won the famous Dubai rally 15 times. In 2008, he became the first Arab named as Vice President of the FIA, and the first to be elected to the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
Omar Abdulrahman – Football
Al Ain’s midfielder Omar - know fondly as Amoory - is a true UAE sporting icon and recently cemented that status by becoming the first Arab player to appear on the front cover of the iconic Pro Evolution Soccer video game alongside Barcelona star Neymar. Omar's accolades are numerous, from winning three Arabian Gulf League titles with Al Ain, to being included in the Team of the Tournament at the 2015 Asian Cup. His inimitable hairstyle and effortless skill on the pitch makes him the darling of UAE football.
Khurram Khan - Cricket
Easily the UAE’s greatest cricketer and possibly the country’s finest sportsman, Khurram Khan is also widely regarded as one of the sport’s best ever amateurs, having balanced life as an Emirates purser and the country’s prized middle-order batsman with remarkable dedication and commitment.
Pakistan-born left-hander Khurram brought an end to his international career in 2015 after leading the team to its first World T20 and second ever World Cup appearance and will be remembered for his exceptional elegance at the crease as much as his down to earth, affable character that made him a role model for young players both on and off the pitch.
Khurram called it a day with 582 runs to his name in his 16 full one-day internationals at an average of 41.57 and including three half centuries and having become the oldest ODI centurion in history in November 2014, seven months before he called time on his career at the grand old age of 43.
