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 4^th 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.