31 male and female athletes represent the UAE in the Asian Beach Games in China
Sanya, April 17 / WAM / The United Arab Emirates is participating in the sixth edition of the Asian Beach Games, hosted by the Chinese city of Sanya from April 22 to 30, with a delegation that includes 31 male and female athletes competing in four sports: jiu-jitsu, sailing, beach soccer, and open water swimming.
China is hosting the Asian Beach Games for the second time after the Haiyang Edition in 2012, with the sixth edition witnessing the participation of 1,790 male and female athletes representing 45 Asian Olympic Committees, competing in 14 sports, 15 disciplines and 61 competitions, while the opening and closing ceremonies will be held in the “Ring Theater” in the Asian Beach Games Park in the “Tianya Haijiao” area.
The forefront of the UAE Olympic Committee delegation arrived in Sanya last Wednesday evening to review the arrangements for receiving the sports delegation, which begins its participation through the beach soccer team in the second group competitions alongside the teams of Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Iran.
The first participating national teams, which is the jiu-jitsu team, will arrive tomorrow (Saturday), with the sailing and beach soccer teams arriving the day after tomorrow (Sunday), while the arrival of the rest of the delegation will be completed with the arrival of the open water swimming team next Monday.
The UAE has won 28 colorful medals in all its participation in the Asian Beach Games since the Bali 2008 edition, with 11 gold, 8 silver and 9 bronze medals, while the Phuket 2014 edition is the best with 12 medals, while the Danang 2016 edition witnessed the crowning of Wadima Al Yafei, the jiu-jitsu team player, with the bronze medal as the first Emirati girl to climb the podium in the history of the tournament.
His Excellency Fares Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary-General of the UAE Olympic Committee, stressed the importance of redoubling efforts and intensifying preparations to ensure the desired appearance in this continental event, pointing to the ability of the Emirati delegation to continue the path of achievements and enhance the track record since its first participation in Bali 2008.
His Excellency appreciated the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, and the follow-up of His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, Vice President of the UAE Olympic Committee and Head of the Executive Office, in supporting the participation of national delegations in foreign sports forums and enhancing the country’s presence on the continental and international arena.
The start of the Asian Beach Games goes back to 2008 in Bali, Indonesia, then Muscat 2010, Haiyang in China 2012, Phuket in Thailand 2014, and Danang in Vietnam 2016, all the way to the anticipated sixth edition in Sanya, China.
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