On the home page of the World Championships of Beach Ultimate website they promise that their sport will bring four things: warm sunshine, white sand, exotic locations and elite ultimate action.
The sport of ultimate combines elements of football, American Football and basketball with teams of five throwing a disc into a marked zone at either end, which must be caught to score a point.
While the sport is in its infancy in the Middle East, it has experienced a seismic boom in the western world since its inception in the 60s, with the USA boasting over six million registered players.
There is no referee and players rely instead on good sportsmanship and honesty. These fun and friendly foundations, coupled to the physical benefits of constant running in sand create a unique sport whose benefits are as much social as they are physical.
From 8-13 March over 1,000 players representing 25 countries will descend upon the Jumeirah Beach Residence sand to compete for the world championships.
Ahmed Al Shamisi is currently the only Emirati player in the sport and will be representing the UAE with the Open team at WCBU.
He works in the UAE Air Force and decided to give ultimate a try after reading about the sport online a year ago.
Twelve months later and he has progressed quickly, now playing three times a week for different teams.
“One of the most amazing things about the game is that I get to play with people that I would (otherwise) never have had the opportunity to meet.
“In the team we have people from Philippines, America, Europe and all over the world so it is a good opportunity to mix up and make friends from all over the world.
“I have seen other Emirati people interested in playing but so far no one has come. A lot of people are tempted to come and play so I hope one day we reach a level where we compete with all other countries.
“I think this (tournament) is going to be a big start for growing the sport in the UAE and in other countries here.
“When I first started I thought that the language and traditions would be very hard but everyone makes you really comfortable with playing and you feel that you fit in easily in no time.
