Emirati showjumper Abdullah Al Marri said the UAE's equestrian team will learn from their experiences at the Paris Games and use the lessons to help them qualify for Los Angeles 2028.
Al Marri was part of a 14-strong UAE contingent at the Paris Olympics alongside fellow equestrian teammates Omar Al Marzooqi, Ali Al Karbi and Salem Ahmed Al Suwaidi, cyclist Safia Al Sayegh, 100m sprinter Maryam Al Farsi, and swimmers Yousuf Al Matrooshi and Maha Al Shehhi.
The UAE also sent six judokas to France: Bishreltiin Khorloodoi, Narmandakh Bayanmunkh, Nugzari Tatalashvili, Aram Grigorian, Dzhafar Kostoev, and Magomedomar Magomedomarov.
While the UAE didn't feature among the medals, there were a few highlights to savour, including 21-year-old Al Marzooqi reaching the individual showjumping final, Al Matrooshi setting a personal best and placing second in his heat in the 100m freestyle, and Al Sayegh becoming the first Emirati woman to compete in an Olympic road race. In judo, Grigorian reached the repechage round and was one win away from challenging for a bronze medal.
“For us, Paris was alien territory, and it’s an event that happens once every four years. So, the exposure was very important to understand the level of the competition and live it,” Al Marri told The National.
“We will analyse everything after the conclusion of the Games. We are working on things even while we speak. There are a lot of lessons learned and, hopefully, it will only make us better going forward.
“The experience in Paris was great, and for sure we will set new goals. First is the World Cup final in Basel in April 2025. So, we will set a plan for qualification as soon as possible with the horses we currently have.”
Paris 2024 was the first time that the UAE equestrian team had qualified for the Olympics since Beijing in 2008, although their campaign ended in the first round. There was personal frustration in the individual event for Al Marri, who was forced to retire during the qualifier, while Al Suwaidi finished outside the top 30 to miss the final.
However, Al Marzooqi represented the UAE in the individual final and placed a creditable 19th out of 30 on his Olympics debut.
“Omar’s performance was exceptional, first being the youngest competitor, plus having to do such a performance at this stage will only boost his confidence to the roof,” Al Marri said.
“For us as a small nation in such a sport that’s been dominated by Europe and the USA, it’s a leap forward for all of us. It’s the first time any of us reached an individual final, that’s including the World Cup and the World Equestrian Games, so it’s a huge achievement for the UAE.”
Nasser Al Tamimi, general secretary of the UAE Wrestling and Judo Federation, said they achieved the main objective of getting six judokas qualified for the Olympics but admitted they fell short in hopes of securing a medal.
“It was the first Olympics for all of them,” Al Tamimi said. “We were hopeful of a medal or two after having six of them qualified for Paris, but unfortunately we fell short of that goal.
“However, we are satisfied with our programme and they will follow the same pathway to qualify for LA and achieve better results, hopefully. It will be the same schedule for them again, participating in the IJF competitions throughout the year.”
if you go
The flights
Emirates have direct flights from Dubai to Glasgow from Dh3,115. Alternatively, if you want to see a bit of Edinburgh first, then you can fly there direct with Etihad from Abu Dhabi.
The hotel
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Located in the heart of Mackintosh's Glasgow, the Dakota Deluxe is perhaps the most refined hotel anywhere in the city. Doubles from Dh850
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Events and tours
There are various Mackintosh specific events throughout 2018 – for more details and to see a map of his surviving designs see glasgowmackintosh.com
For walking tours focussing on the Glasgow Style, see the website of the Glasgow School of Art.
More information
For ideas on planning a trip to Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Programme
Saturday, October 26: ‘The Time That Remains’ (2009) by Elia Suleiman
Saturday, November 2: ‘Beginners’ (2010) by Mike Mills
Saturday, November 16: ‘Finding Vivian Maier’ (2013) by John Maloof and Charlie Siskel
Tuesday, November 26: ‘All the President’s Men’ (1976) by Alan J Pakula
Saturday, December 7: ‘Timbuktu’ (2014) by Abderrahmane Sissako
Saturday, December 21: ‘Rams’ (2015) by Grimur Hakonarson
