UAE Team Emirates’ rider Yousif Mirza has been awarded the Outstanding UAE Athlete of 2017 prize.
Mirza overcame stiff competition from 541 other nominated athletes, across 28 sports associations, to scoop the prestigious prize - adding to an already extraordinary year for the Emirati cyclist.
The award was presented by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, at a ceremony on Monday in recognition of UAE athletes' sporting achievements over the past year.
Commenting on the award, Mirza said: "I'm very honoured to pick up this award. Unfortunately I could not attend the ceremony because I'm training in Europe and preparing for my next World Tour race in California, but it adds extra value to my recent achievements in Asia and the UAE. It's great to know that UAE Team Emirates is increasing the awareness of cycling here in the Emirates and I hope this award will inspire even more young people to cycle.”
It caps an impressive year for Mirza, having joined UAE Team Emirates as the first professional Emirati cyclist. He secured his eighth UAE National Road Race title one month ago, adding to a a glittering season that also saw him secure medals at Asian Track Cycling Championships and the Asian Road Cycling Championship.
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