More than 1,000 swimmers will take part.
A new generation of Emirati swimmers will have a chance to show off their skills in the water after the UAE Swimming Federation announced a new group of athletes will join the national team at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m).
Salem Ghalib, Sara Akasha, Ahmad Al Marzouqi and Mohamed Al Hammadi have been added to the UAE’s swim roster bringing the total participant number from the country to six for the championships at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.
Salem Ghalib (16) will represent the UAE in the 100m butterfly; Sara Akasha (16) will compete in the 200m freestyle; Ahmad Al Marzouqi (15) will dive into the 100m and 200m freestyle, in addition to the 100m and 200m backstroke; and Mohamed Al Hammadi (16) will look to break his personal bests achieved at the Arab Swimming Championships in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events.
The quartet will join Laila Al Khatib and Youssef Al Matrooshi who were announced for the championships back in the summer.
Responding to the news on his selection Ghalib said: “I am delighted and honoured to be competing at home in the UAE – it is an athlete’s dream. Taking part in the Arab Swimming Championships in October was an incredible experience, and winning gold will be moment I will never forget. The championships in October have definitely given me even more drive and motivation to give my best performance yet next week.
“It will be an incredible moment stepping out onto the swimming deck, side by side some of the world’s biggest swimming stars. To have the opportunity to swim against an array of Olympic finalists and medalists is something I’m truly grateful for. I hope you make my nation proud at this year’s competition.’’
Speaking on the announcement, Sultan Al-Samahi, President of the UAE Swimming Federation, said: “We are delighted to announce that an additional four of our great nation’s future talents, Salem Ghalib, Sara Akasha, Mohamed Al Hammadi and Ahmad Al Marzouqi, will be competing at this year’s FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), alongside Laila Al Khatib and Youssef Al Matrooshi. We look forward to supporting our young and promising talents of the future.
“The Emirati participation in the FINA World Swimming Championships, which witnesses the participation of the best swimmers from around the world, is a new achievement in the UAE’s journey, which celebrates its 50th anniversary. We are happy to see our ambitious youth during this championship in Abu Dhabi.”
This year’s FINA World Swimming Championships will also see an elite field of regional stars come to Yas Island in the UAE’s capital, including Olympic superstars Tunisian Gold Medalist, Ahmed Hafnaoui, fastest female swimmer in Africa, and butterfly and freestyle specialist and Farida Osman from Egypt.
Swimming in parallel will be The FINA Aquatics Festival which provide fans with new FINA disciples including the qualifiers for the 19th FINA World Championship in Fukuoka (Japan), the final leg of FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series as well as open water swimming mixed relay of two men and two women and the FINA Diving Team Exhibition.
Ticket prices for the championships start from AED 10 and can be purchased online at Etihad Arena.
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