Friday, May 18, 2012
Gulf News
Dubai Two of the top sports officials in the UAE have predicted a huge boost for sports following the signing of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC) and the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) yesterday.
“This is a huge gift for sports and sportspersons in the UAE and only time will see the desired effects,” predicted Mohammad Al Kamali, Secretary General of the UAE NOC, after signing the MoU with Dr Ahmad Sa’ad Al Sharif, Secretary General of the DSC.
Al Kamali said the cooperation between the two bodies could not have come at a better time than just before an Olympic Games. “We are in the process of finalising the UAE squad for the London Olympics and such a formal agreement can only help both bodies and sportspersons from the UAE,” he said.
As per the agreement, the DSC will cooperate and coordinate with the UAE NOC on most of its existing programmes, including the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Sports Creative Awards and the Schools Olympics, which are scheduled to be launched through the Ministry of Education from the next academic year starting in September.
“We’ve always been coordinating all our programmes, but this MoU will give this relationship between the two bodies a new dimension,” Al Kamali said.
‘Just the beginning’
“This is as per the Olympic Charter that stipulates that we enhance relationships with all like-minded bodies operating within the country. This agreement is just the beginning and we will have similar events with other bodies in the near future,” he added.
“The DSC has always been a crucial partner for us in supporting all our initiatives. The DSC’s talent programme is unique and we will be partners with them so that we can have these same athletes coming through and representing the UAE in the future.”
Dr Al Sharif affirmed that the MoU will benefit both parties.
By Alaric Gomes?Senior Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
