Dame Kelly Holmes, who presented a number of awards at the 2015 SPIA last night, believes the sports movement in the UAE is unlike anything she has witnessed before.
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Holmes, a two-time Olympic champion runner, has been active in several community-related sports initiatives in the Emirates through her work with Daman and their programme ActiveLife, of which she is an ambassador.
The 44-year-old Brit will be present at this weekend’s Color Run in Abu Dhabi and she says she’s been amazed by the turnouts for the weekly Train Yas sessions at Yas Marina Circuits.
“Thanks to Daman who were up for eight awards tonight here, I’ve been able to get involved with so many community programmes and events in the UAE.
Last night at #SPIA15 @Sport_360 interviewing @damekellyholmes on the growth of the health/fitness industry in UAE. pic.twitter.com/YMnhGex6xV
— Anna Louise Roberts (@ImAnnaRoberts) March 26, 2015
“We’re doing the Color Run, and I’m an ambassador for their Active Life programme and their Champions programme, which is inspiring young potential sports people,” Holmes told Sport360°.
“What I’ve probably seen the most is that there’s so much integration at events. If you do Train Dubai or Train Yas – Tuesday nights 4,000 people turning up to walk around the race track, cycle, walk or run.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that, where it’s free to the public just to keep healthy, fit, active to try and inspire them.
Thanks to @damekellyholmes and @omarnour supporting #@damanactivelife making it award winning @sports360 #spia2015 pic.twitter.com/euicSgMfgl
— Sven Rohte (@taminNoyaFaris) March 25, 2015
“I’ve seen so many developments in that part over the past few years here.
“This is a great nation for seeing change and development and I love that. I love the fact that you can start with somewhere where you think maybe there are high obesity rates, people aren’t looking after their own lifestyles to that change, and they get given that opportunity and I love to see that.”
Velimir Stjepanovic, a Serbian swimmer who was born and raised in the UAE and has trained all his life in the country en route to becoming a European champion and renowned Olympian, was thrilled to be part of the SPIA for the first time.
@taminNoyaFaris @yasmarinacircuit @damekellyholmes. Thank you for helping us win silver in best CSR initiative. pic.twitter.com/qs3yxlKVdw
— Andy Phillips (@AndyPMarketing) March 25, 2015
“I think it’s really important (to recognise the people behind the scenes in the sports industry) because it’s not just the athlete who is responsible for their achievements.
Behind me there are 20 people I can name that have helped me a lot,” said Stjepanovic, who presented the gold award for ‘Youth Development Project of the Year’ to Spanish Soccer Schools.
“Obviously Hamilton Aquatics as a whole family, there’s so many different people that you have to thank when you actually achieve something. And I think without the companies to actually harness our talents to make us into these athletes, then… it speaks for itself.”
