Oral History: Interview and the Analysis
The following interview is with UAE athlete.
Ahmad Al Ali, 1955. Four times National Games Gold Medalist
Interview
Q1: Please tell us
about how did you get interest in sports?
It was the
time when I was 4 years old. In my school, we had some competitions. The
instructor told us to run and the student who gets first will be awarded. Then
we came to know about the sports and games for the first time. I started sprint
races and got much and more interested in sports.
Q2: Was there any
difficulties in your personal life when you started?
My life has
not been smooth. The early days were tough. My parents were supporting,
especially my mother. We were 3 children, I was the youngest. But the very
first moment I started practicing, I had complications in my arms. But with
time passed by, I managed to take care of it.
Q3: When was the
first time you won a medal?
Oh, the
first time, is always a special one. I took part in the school junior level
sports competition. Although I won Bronze medal, but yet this was the moment
when I started to develop myself as athlete.
Q4: What was the
most memorable moment of your career?
Back in
1978, it was the first time when our country took part in the asian games. I
didn’t win the medal, but it was the first time when I got introduced for the
first time to the international level of sports. I got 4th
rank, but was appreciated because I was
the most promising player of my country.
Q5: What were the
challenges you face in your career?
The
resources of course were limited back in those years. We did not have that
level of competition. The government was not supporting much, I mean the
facilities were not good that time.
Q6: What do you
feel about your counterparts?
Oh, they are the one, from whom you get to learn more. All of them were nice, and used to make learn
and tell their experiences. I enjoyed all my life in their guidance.
Q7: Did you ever
think of being any one else than an athlete?
No, I was always interested in athletics and was
confined myself to be the person on the field. I cannot imagine myself being
the one with a different career. I had only one aim in life, and that was to be
sports person.
Q8: Are you
interested in any other sport?
Oh yes,
swimming is my second best love. I have always been giving time to swimming
whenever I get free.
Q9: Any tips for
the juniors?
I would like to say, the youngsters
that the competition and the resources both have increased in the timeline of
history. The most basic step of sticking to the ‘hardwork’ and the attitude of
being positive shall always lead you to the doorsteps of your goal.
Q10: Any word for
international events?
They are
the dream moment for any of the athlete. One should always keep an aim of being
the part of the sports with a true heart. And the sport persons, organizers
must take the responsibility to raise the level of sports. We have not been
able to deliver at the international level so the government shall make changes
in the system.
Analysis:
Emirati athletes and the athletics have witnessed the time
passed by. UAE has been continuously taking part in games at the international
level. The national events have many of the winners but at the international
level, UAE has not been able to get recognition in comparison with the other
countries.
The athletes and the government has to take the
responsibility to raise the level of sports in the country. The life of an
average athlete has not been up to the mark, which must be a point of concern.
With the interest growing up, we shall see UAE being recognized in world map
for its athletes.
