ID :
211517
Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:55
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/211517
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Swimmers from 28 countries have arrived in Dubai ready for the FINA ARENA Swimming World Cup
Dubai, Oct 6, 2011 (WAM) - International swimming returns to Dubai in just two days with the start of the FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup. Swimmers from 28 countries have arrived in Dubai ready for the competition which takes place at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex this Friday and Saturday.
President of the UAE Swimming Federation, Ahmed Al Falasi, said: "Hosting these major international events is an important part of the growth of swimming, not only in Dubai and the UAE but the whole region.
"It is a great thrill to have such top-class international swimmers back in Dubai and we wish them everything of the best as they strive to achieve success." Speaking at a pre-event press conference yesterday, Ali Al Muttawa, Director of Corporate Resources, Dubai Sports Council, said: "It is with great pleasure that we once again welcome the world to Dubai and this fantastic facility - the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex.
"We held the wonderfully successful FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) here last year and I have no doubt that with the support of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, this event will once again be a resounding success." "We must say a very big thank you to all our local sponsors for making this event possible," he added.
Khalid Bel Jaflah, Emirates Vice President Commercial UAE Sales, said: "Emirates is proud to be a part of the FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup. We have always actively supported and promoted sporting events in the UAE, working closely with the Dubai Sports Council to bring these world-class events to our shores. We wish the contestants taking part every success in their goal to take first place in this exciting event." Heading the charge for the local UAE swimmers will be the likes of Obaid Al Jasmi and Mubarak Al Besher, who are both relishing the prospect of competing in front of a home crowd once again.
"The crowd can expect tougher competition, the involvement of some top swimming celebrities and in the long term, the creation of a brighter future for the sport of swimming in the UAE in general," said Al Jasmi.
Several top-class international swimmers including numerous world record-holders will be in action this weekend. The line-up includes several gold medallists from last year's FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Dubai such as Russia's Evgeny Korotyshkin (100m butterfly), South Africa's Chad le Clos (200m butterfly) and Ranomi Kromowidjojo from the Netherlands (50m and 100m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay).
"The World Championship in Dubai in 2010 was a great event for me. I got the gold medal in the 100 'fly and it was my best performance of the year," said Korotyshkin.
"This World Cup is going to be very exciting for both swimmers and for the public because many famous athletes from around the world will come to compete again in Dubai," he added.
Le Clos said: "Dubai is my lucky hunting ground and almost feels like my second home because of last year's victory here. "I really enjoy competing here and I also have family and friends here who make the stay special. Generally, what I enjoy is the great hospitality and I love the growth of the city," he added.
"I'm really looking forward to swimming in Dubai, especially to see and feel how far I am at this moment. I really like Dubai, always nice warm weather and super accommodation here. And obviously I have great memories of my swimming races last year," said Kromowidjojo.
Racing will begin at 9am on Friday, October 7 with heats in the morning and the Opening Ceremony in the evening starting at 5.25pm with the first finals contested at 5.40pm. Heats will also begin at 9am on Saturday, October 8 with the first final starting at 5.40pm. Tickets to the event will be available at the door, at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex, which is located on the Dubai Bypass Road (E611) - Emirates News Agency, WAM
President of the UAE Swimming Federation, Ahmed Al Falasi, said: "Hosting these major international events is an important part of the growth of swimming, not only in Dubai and the UAE but the whole region.
"It is a great thrill to have such top-class international swimmers back in Dubai and we wish them everything of the best as they strive to achieve success." Speaking at a pre-event press conference yesterday, Ali Al Muttawa, Director of Corporate Resources, Dubai Sports Council, said: "It is with great pleasure that we once again welcome the world to Dubai and this fantastic facility - the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex.
"We held the wonderfully successful FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) here last year and I have no doubt that with the support of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, this event will once again be a resounding success." "We must say a very big thank you to all our local sponsors for making this event possible," he added.
Khalid Bel Jaflah, Emirates Vice President Commercial UAE Sales, said: "Emirates is proud to be a part of the FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup. We have always actively supported and promoted sporting events in the UAE, working closely with the Dubai Sports Council to bring these world-class events to our shores. We wish the contestants taking part every success in their goal to take first place in this exciting event." Heading the charge for the local UAE swimmers will be the likes of Obaid Al Jasmi and Mubarak Al Besher, who are both relishing the prospect of competing in front of a home crowd once again.
"The crowd can expect tougher competition, the involvement of some top swimming celebrities and in the long term, the creation of a brighter future for the sport of swimming in the UAE in general," said Al Jasmi.
Several top-class international swimmers including numerous world record-holders will be in action this weekend. The line-up includes several gold medallists from last year's FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Dubai such as Russia's Evgeny Korotyshkin (100m butterfly), South Africa's Chad le Clos (200m butterfly) and Ranomi Kromowidjojo from the Netherlands (50m and 100m freestyle and 4x100m freestyle relay).
"The World Championship in Dubai in 2010 was a great event for me. I got the gold medal in the 100 'fly and it was my best performance of the year," said Korotyshkin.
"This World Cup is going to be very exciting for both swimmers and for the public because many famous athletes from around the world will come to compete again in Dubai," he added.
Le Clos said: "Dubai is my lucky hunting ground and almost feels like my second home because of last year's victory here. "I really enjoy competing here and I also have family and friends here who make the stay special. Generally, what I enjoy is the great hospitality and I love the growth of the city," he added.
"I'm really looking forward to swimming in Dubai, especially to see and feel how far I am at this moment. I really like Dubai, always nice warm weather and super accommodation here. And obviously I have great memories of my swimming races last year," said Kromowidjojo.
Racing will begin at 9am on Friday, October 7 with heats in the morning and the Opening Ceremony in the evening starting at 5.25pm with the first finals contested at 5.40pm. Heats will also begin at 9am on Saturday, October 8 with the first final starting at 5.40pm. Tickets to the event will be available at the door, at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex, which is located on the Dubai Bypass Road (E611) - Emirates News Agency, WAM
