General Authority of Sports and Arab Cycling Federation promote partnership opportunities

H.E Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education and Chairman of the General Authority of Sports has emphasised on the significance of the partnership with the Arab Cycling Federation in line with the directives of the wise leadership, aimed at improving local and international cooperation in sports. The partnerships will strengthen the sports sector and the authority’s efforts to support high-level athletes in various sports.

This was stated by Al Falasi during his meeting with Sheikh Faisal bin Humaid Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Arab Cycling Federation, Eng. Mansoor Buosaiba, President of the UAE Cycling Federation, Counselor Ismail Al-Hosani, Secretary General of Arab Cycling Federation, Yasser Al-Doukhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Cycling Federation and Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab Cycling Federation, and Salem Al Shohi, Administrative and Financial Manager of the Arab Cycling Federation.

Al Falasi said: “Hosting various headquarters of regional, continental, and international federations shows the UAE’s capability to achieve international leadership. We look towards benefitting from our previous accomplishments in national and international championships to further strengthen the presence of sports in the UAE.”

He added: “We value the efforts to promote partnerships with regional, continental, and international federations. The partnership with the Arab Federation will improve the chances for the local federation to discover and enhance talents by exchanging expertise. Efforts will be made to raise a generation with the skill and capability to secure more victories in international championships. This collaboration is seen to be a major pillar in the authority’s work, aimed at developing the sports sector by creating partnership opportunities with various local, regional, and international entities.”

Al Qassimi lauded Al Falasi’s support during the Arab Federation elections held in Cairo last May. He said: “We appreciate the authority’s efforts to support various national teams and strengthen their presence in international forums. We look forward to promoting collaboration between the UAE Federation and the Arab countries federations, to further develop the sport and encourage competitiveness as the popularity of cycling grows in the UAE.”

The visit was aimed at exploring newer avenues for development of cycling in local and regional level. During the visit, the prominent Arab expertise in cycling were highlighted to encourage and empower athletes, technical and administrative staff and to improve the chances of better performance by the national teams to win more championships at international level.

Al Qassimi has presided over the Arab Cycling Federation since 1997. In May last year, he again won the presidency election of the Federation for the term 2022-2024. Under his leadership, the federation’s headquarters was transferred to the UAE in 2003. The federation further received recognition from International Cycling Federation in the summer of 2018, as a legitimate federation that organises cycling activities in Arab countries.

The UAE has an ideal infrastructure for cycling, which promotes it as a community sport and increases its popularity. This has helped increase discovery of newer talents who are capable of competing in continental and international championships.

The General Authority of Sports focuses on empowering athletes and the national administrative and technical staff, to further develop the sports sector and promote the UAE’s sports presence on a global scale. Over the years, many continental and international federations have moved their headquarters to the UAE.