The UAE national swim team are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing showing at the Arab Championships in Morocco by beating Kuwait at the Gulf Championships this week.
Mubarak Al Besher and Yaaqoub Al Saadi grabbed three bronze medals for the Emirates in Casablanca earlier this week but assistant coach Mohamed El Zanaty admits they were hoping for better results, and that the swimmers are not satisfied despite it being their second-best appearance at the Arab level.
Al Saadi clocked 27.24 seconds to claim bronze in the 50m backstroke while Al Besher was third in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, posting times of 29.55 and 1:05.27 respectively.
While the team matched their target of winning three medals at the Arab Championships, the swimmers were hoping that at least one of them would top the podium in Casablanca.
“We were hoping for gold but unfortunately we couldn’t make it,” El Zanaty told Sport360°.
“But this is still a respectable result and we’re looking to do better in Kuwait this week.”
Six swimmers – Ahmed Al Hosani, Mohammed Jasim, Mohammed Al Ghaferi, Al Besher, Ali Al Kaabi and Al Saadi – will be representing the UAE at the Gulf Championships, which kick off in Kuwait tomorrow.
The UAE team have never overhauled Kuwait at the top of the medals table but are now looking to upset the hosts for the very first time.
Al Besher is not too optimistic of his own chances though.
“I must admit I’m out of form as I have been struggling with a shoulder problem,” said the Emirati Olympian.
“I haven’t been posting the times I know I’m capable of and I don’t think I’ll be able to swim any PBs in Kuwait.”
