Qatari star high jumper Mutaz Barshim says he wants gold medals after being honoured at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award ceremony in Dubai yesterday.
Barshim, a bronze medallist at the London 2012 Olympics and silver medallist at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow last year, received the Arab Athlete award and both the 22-year-old and his coach, Stanislaw Szczyrba, say the target now is to achieve gold in his upcoming major events.
“This award came as a surprise to me but it’s a very pleasant surprise and a great honour,” said Barshim, who has a staggering personal best of 2.40m. “I overcame a lot of problems last year but I managed to achieve my goal which was to win a medal at the World Championships. 2014 is a new year with new challenges.
“My main two targets this year are the World Indoor Championships in March in Poland and the Asian Championships in the summer. I will do my best to avoid injuries and of course the target now is for the gold medal.”
His coach Szczyrba added: “Our target is to be the best in the world, not only the Arab world. This is a great award and a big honour but our target is to be like (Usain) Bolt and I promise you, he can do this. Our target is Olympic gold in Rio, I’ve said that when he was barely clearing 2.10m. Look at him now.”
Egyptian football giants Al Ahly won the Arab Team award after claiming a record eighth African Champions League. Accepting the award on behalf of the club was Ahly legend and current vice president Mahmoud El Khatib (Bibo), who scored over 100 goals for the Red Devils between 1972 and 1988.
“In the toughest circumstances for any club to ever go through, Al Ahly won the African Champions League after the loss of 72 lives of its loyal fans so this award really means a lot to us,” said El Khatib, making reference to the Port Said Stadium disaster.“Just like the African trophy was dedicated to the souls of our martyrs, this award as well is for them.”
Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the president of the Asian Football Confederation, was given the Arab Sports Figure award and gave a speech on behalf of the winners, while rally driver Khalifa Al Metawai received the award for the Local Athlete who has Achieved International Success.
“It means a lot to me this award especially for the great name it bears. It gives me motivation to repeat the achievements I made in the past, once again in 2014,” said Al Metawai.
Three youngsters were voted winners of the Local Emerging Athletes award with Abdullah Al Marri taking first place for his success in endurance racing, Saif Al Falasi claiming second for his achievements in water sports while tennis player Fahad Al Janahi was third for winning gold in the Under-14 Asian Championship in Qatar.
