Incheon, South Korea: The head of the UAE delegation to the 2014 Incheon Asian Games on Thursday called on the country’s athletes to live up to expectations and return home as champions.
UAE Minister of Health Abdul Rahman Mohammad Al Owais, the leading figure in the 154-member UAE delegation at the Asiad, made the call in a brief speech to many of the nation’s 81 competitors at the Athletes’ Village during a flash mob’ event.
Al Owais was joined by Abdullah Khalfan Al Rumaithi, UAE Ambassador to South Korea, Ebrahim Abdul Malik, General Secretary of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare (GAYSW), and Obaid Salem Al Shamsi, Finance Director of the UAE National Olympic Committee, as the UAE flag was unfurled before an appreciative audience of athletes from across Asia.
The idea of ‘flash mob’ events was introduced by organisers to make things a bit more homely for participants and officials, in keeping with the Asian Games’ central theme of “Diversity Shines Here”.
There was no dearth of spirit as athletes and officials mixed freely in a party-like atmosphere a day before the Games officially open on Friday.
“Taking part in such big sporting events has a feel of its own. This is the beauty of the Olympic Movement and I am glad that you are here to represent this spirit, along with our unique culture, to the world. We need to be part of the human world and these Games give you all a distinct advantage because you can become champions on and off the field,” Al Owais told the UAE athletes.
“While the sharing of cultures is an important aspect to such an event, you also need to be aware that the country has great expectations from you. We know that you will give your best on the field in order to bring glory to the UAE.”
On Wednesday, flags of Japan and Sri Lanka were among the first to be raised at the Athletes’ Village to mark the traditional welcome ceremony for athletes.
