The United Arab Emirates National Olympic Committee honored Asian Chess Federation president Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifah Al Nahyan and General Secretary Hisham Al Taher in ceremonies last month honoring 34 Emirati leading sports personalities holding top positions at the Asian continental and international levels.
Minister Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi delivering keynote address.
Minister Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi (right) with Sheikh Sultan.
Sheikh Sultan was the first Emirati to be elected President of an Asian sports federation when he was elected in 2006 to head the Asian Chess Federation.
Minister Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi (left) presents the award to Sheikh Sultan.
Other Emirati presidents honored were Asian Cycling Confederation president H.E. Osama Ahmad Abdulla Alshafar, Asian Boxing Confederation president Anas Alotaiba, Asia Rugby President Qais Al-Dhalai, Asian Jiu Jitsu Federation President Abdul Moneim Al Hashemi, Asian Karate Federation president Major General Nasser Alrazooqi, Asian Camel Racing Federation president Abdullah Al-Muhari and Asian Paralympic Committee president Majid Rashed.
Azza bint Suleiman, Assistant Secretary-General for Administrative and Financial Affairs of the Olympic Committee.
Minister Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi (left) presents the award to Hisham Al Taher.
Secretary General Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Hussein of the General Sports Authority (left) with Sheikh Sultan
A Strategic Partners Forum was organized by the Olympic Committee concurrently in the presence of Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises, President of the General Sports Authority, First Vice President of the National Olympic Committee, Head of the Executive Office, Saeed Abdul Ghaffar Hussein, Secretary General of the General Sports Authority and Azza bint Suleiman, Assistant Secretary-General for Administrative and Financial Affairs of the Olympic Committee.
In his speech, Dr. Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi expressed his pride in the presence of the nation’s sons in the continental and international sports federations, as they are one of the elements of influence and sports diplomacy.
Belhoul added “The holders of continental and international positions in the sports federations are ambassadors for the sport of the Emirates, and we wish them success in their tasks. They actively contribute to enhancing the standing and presence of their federations and presenting an honorable image of the people of the Emirates. That they have reached these high positions is the fruit of effort, planning and unlimited support from the rational leadership.”
The UAE sports work system follows the directive of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee, which emphasized the importance of developing and qualifying local competencies and expertise to be able to advance the Olympic sports movement at all international, continental and local levels.
