UAE Olympic star Sheikh Ahmad heads academy to find future talent

UAE is aiming for glory in shooting once again with the launch of an academy headed by the country's only Olympic medallist Sheikh Ahmad bin Hasher Al Maktoum.

The National Association of Shooting (NAS) academy has been set up in accordance with the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.

Sheikh Ahmad has been tasked with identifying talent from the age of seven in a bid to breed future Olympians.

"It is a dream that I have long pursued. I pledge to transfer my shooting experience, which I have accumulated over the years of practising this sport, to my fellow nationals," said Sheikh Ahmad at a press conference held on Tuesday at Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa.

After thanking Sheikh Hamdan for bestowing him the honour of leading NAS, he outlined the objectives, operational procedures and programme of action of the academy.

"The academy’s purpose is to develop and popularise this sport, raise a generation of skilled national shooters and lead them to championship titles," said Sheikh Ahmad who won the double-trap event at the 2004 Games in Athens and also competed at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

He also proved his mettle as a coach having the satisfaction of seeing one of his products Peter Wilson bagging the gold at the London Olympics for Great Britain last summer.

"We shall do our best to create a solid foundation in order to promote the sport which has earned the UAE its first ever Olympic gold medal. To that end, we are set to develop an integrated action programme and hire elite expert international coaches to train and develop the skills of the members of the academy,” he reiterated.

The 2004 Olympic champion did not wish to dwell on the past.

“If we look at the last eight or nine years, I did not do as I was supposed to do to bring the next generation to follow my step,” said Sheikh Ahmad taking on blame for UAE's failure to capitalise on his feat.

Having said that he did not a time frame to achieve their targets.

"When you plan Olympic achievement it does not come within four years or eight years. I'm going to start with seven year old kids and by the age of 12-14, I will be able to judge their ability. My plan is long term and it (results) might be achieved in 10 years or so because I have to put the basic and right foundation because there is no way I can pick up anybody at 14 years old and make him an Olympic champion. I'm telling you it's not going to happen," he stressed.

Sheikh Ahmad confirmed that there will be a large-scale coordination between the academy and official bodies in the UAE, such as the National Olympic Committee, in order to prepare highly trained Olympic athletes for the future.

Moreover, there will be constant coordination and exchange of views with the UAE Shooting Federation; the official umbrella organisation for shooting in the UAE that would also be the operating authority of any prospective training academies.

He also confirmed that coordination will be existent with the Ministry of Education and School Olympics, in addition to communications and meetings with the children’s parents to introduce them to the sport - its benefits and importance - and familiarising them with the academy’s available resources and action plans.

Admiral Ahmad Nasser Al Raisi, Chairman of the UAE Shooting Federation, said setting up of NAS will provide new opportunities for those who love this sport.

"Firstly I must thank Sheikh Hamdan for supporting this iniative. The best thing he has done is putting Olympic medallist Sheikh Ahmed to identify talent and guide them. People in UAE love shooting but sometimes there are no opportunities," he said.

Hamad Ahmed bin Mejren, Vice-Chairman of NAS also addressed the press conference.