UAE body keeps the Olympic fire burning

Buoyed by the resounding success of SportAccord International 2010 Dubai, the UAE National Olympic Committee is pursuing its dream of making a bid for the 2020 Summer Games.

The fledgling body had an impressive stand at the Atlantis Palm Jumeirah during the six-day convention held in Middle East for the first time and attracted a record number of more than 1,500 delegates from 60 countries.

"As a National Olympic Committee we had a very positive impact with the stand, which received many visitors. People are really looking at the UAE in a very positive way," said Saeed A Hussain, Secretary-General of the UAE body, who conveyed their intent with a prominent slogan 'Live the Olympic Dream'.

"Nothing is impossible," he said. "They [delegates] are positively impressed and know that the government of the UAE can host any event from past experience. I know our government is always supportive of sports events and they are striving for excellence."

"In regard to Olympics 2020 bid, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, has appointed a panel to work hard on this study. It's at an evaluation stage. Even if we don't get a chance to make a bid we will know where we stand to fill the blank spaces," said Hussain, speaking to Emirates Business. "The panel is doing its best to come up with a proposal by May or June," he said.

"The vision is changing. Football is popular but we have other sports taking place such as World Table Tennis Championships and World Swimming Championship," he added.