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Officials at a press conference at the headquarters of the Dubai Sports Council.
Gulf today, Journalist
Ski Dubai will host its first FIS-accredited international ski competitions this week in association with the Dubai Sports Council and the United Arab Emirates Winter Sports Federation.
The UAE was ratified as an associate member of the International Ski Federation (FIS) at the International Ski Congress earlier this year, following a five-year campaign led by Majid Al Futtaim and Ski Dubai in collaboration with the UAE Winter Sports Federation.
For four days (November 17-20), Ski Dubai will host four FIS accredited events, including the UAE FIS National Alpine Championships and the Para-Alpine Asian Cup events.
The competitions will see more than 40 skiers from 20 countries compete against each other, including Olympic Winter athletes. Hassan Al Fardan, Abdulla Khafin Albalooshi, Hamda Alsuweidi and Theyab Almuhairi will carry the flag of the United Arab Emirates.
Details of the event were revealed during Monday’s press conference at Dubai Sports Conference, attended by Majid Al Usaimi, President of the Asian Paralympic Committee, Hamel Al Qubaisi, Vice President of the Winter Sports Federation from the Emirates, Khalid Al Awar, Director of Dubai Sports. Council Sports Events Department, and Mohammad El Etri, Vice President, Global Snow, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas.
Nasser Aman Al Rahma, Deputy Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, was also present at the press conference along with a number of other officials from the Council, the UAE Winter Sports Federation and Majid Al Futtaim.
Khalid Al Awar, Director of Sports Events Department, Dubai Sports Council, said: “As we celebrate the 50th Year as well as the organization of the biggest gathering in the world, Expo 2020 Dubai, it is It is a pleasure for us to mark the occasion by hosting the first FIS accredited competitions in Dubai.
“The Dubai Sports Council is proud to partner with Ski Dubai and the UAE Winter Sports Federation to host these four events. These will be the first in a long series, and we are delighted to embark on this new adventure alongside our partners Ski Dubai and the United Arab Emirates Winter Sports Federation.
“Hosting these tournaments here in Dubai will be a huge boost to our joint efforts to promote winter sports in Dubai. These tournaments will also reaffirm Dubai’s reputation as one of the world’s premier destinations for premier international events, on any surface, at any time of the year.
Mohammad El Etri, Vice President, Global Snow, Majid Al Futtaim Leisure, Entertainment & Cinemas, said: “Ski Dubai is proud to partner with the Dubai Sports Council and the United Arab Emirates Winter Sports Federation to host FIS-accredited competitions for the first time.
It is the culmination of a five-year campaign to become a member of the International Ski Federation, which underscores our commitment to nurture young talent and promote a culture of winter sports.
Hosting events like this is essential to realizing our ambition to establish a global snow sports destination in the heart of the desert and also pave the way for skiers and snowboarders to represent our nation on the international stage. We look forward to welcoming athletes from all over the world and wish them every success. “
Hamel Al Qubaisi, Vice President of the UAE Winter Sports Federation, added: “It is very exciting to host the first officially accredited ski races in Dubai! It is a great chance for us to see our young talents compete and experience official ski races for the very first time. We are grateful to Ski Dubai for hosting these prestigious competitions, which help put the UAE on the map as a snow sports destination. “
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