Saif Bin Futtais. (Courtesy Aletihad)
Saif Bin Futtais. (Courtesy Aletihad)
Saif Bin Futtais. (Courtesy Aletihad)
Saif Bin Futtais. (Courtesy Aletihad)

UAE at Rio 2016: Sheikh Saeed, Khaled Al Kaabi and Saif Bin Futtais shooting for the podium


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It is a golden moment in UAE sporting history.

The sight of Sheikh Ahmed Hasher Al Maktoum at the top of the podium in 2004, with the Athens Olympic Games’ double trap shooting gold medal around his neck, his eyes welling with emotion and pride as the UAE national anthem played in the background, is hard to forget.

On his return, Al Maktoum received a welcome befitting the young country’s first Olympic gold medal winner. To date, though, that is the only medal, of any hue, UAE has won in eight visits to the Olympic Games since Los Angeles 1984.

This summer in Rio, however, the country could make an addition to their Olympic collection and, unsurprisingly, their biggest hopes are the three shooters in the 13-member UAE squad — Khaled Al Kaabi, Saif Bin Futtais, and the veteran Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum.

More from Rio 2016:

• Meet the team: Profiles on all 13 athletes representing the UAE at the Rio Olympic Games

• TV schedule: Full Olympic schedule and channel listing in UAE time

• Yousif Mirza: UAE's cycling star: Ready to fulfil his Olympic dream and carry the flag for UAE cycling

Two of them — Sheikh Saeed and Bin Futtais — have won medals at World Cup level. Sheikh Saeed, who will be making his fifth consecutive appearance at the Olympics, won the skeet gold at the 2011 World Cup in Al Ain and a silver in Seoul in 2001, while Bin Futtais, winner of the skeet bronze in Acapulco in 2013, took gold two years later in Larnaca, Cyprus, to clinch a spot for the UAE at the Olympic Games.

Bin Futtais also won skeet gold at the Asia Olympic Qualifying Competition in New Delhi earlier this year, and at the same tournament, Al Kaabi took gold in the double trap event, defeating Kuwaiti veteran Fehaid Al Deehani — a bronze medal winner at the 2010 and 2012 Olympics — in the final.

The UAE shooting trio, then, are a proven lot and under the guidance of Sheikh Ahmed, the UAE’s lone Olympic champion, their credentials of winning an Olympic medal seem even better.

At the 2012 London Olympic Games, Sheikh Ahmed’s protégé Peter Wilson won the double trap gold and Al Kaabi, who took up the sport less than three years ago, is hoping to keep that trend going in the same double trap event.

“This is my first Olympic Games,” said the Abu Dhabi Police First Warrant Officer, who has been training in Brazil along with his two UAE teammates since July 24 in a bid to get acclimatised to the conditions in Rio. “I believe there is no pressure on me as I am not expected to win a medal on my debut.

“So my focus will be on performance, and not on winning a medal or finishing on the podium. If I can keep it simple, focus on just my performance and not on the performance of those around me, stay calm and keep the nerves away, I think I can put up a good show.”

A good show could mean a medal, and not many people will be surprised if Al Kaabi does eventually end up on the podium. For, as Bin Futtais said, shooting is probably the only sport where the UAE are on the same level as the world’s best.

“We have sacrificed a lot in this journey to the Rio Olympics,” said Bin Futtais, who was an ace jet ski pilot before he switched to shooting, with Sheikh Saeed being his mentor. “We spent long periods of time away from our families, travelling for tournaments and camps.

“Now, our focus is doing the best we can to make the country proud. Of course, nobody can promise a medal because winning an Olympic medal depends on so many things. But what I can promise the UAE sports fans is I will do my best in Rio, represent my country to the fullest of my abilities, irrespective of whether I win a medal or not.

“The most important thing for me will be to make sure I return from Rio knowing I have done by best as a representative of the UAE. I hope to make the fans proud.”

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TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY

Centre Court

Starting at 2pm:

Malin Cilic (CRO) v Benoit Paire (FRA) [8]

Not before 4pm:

Dan Evans (GBR) v Fabio Fogini (ITA) [4]

Not before 7pm:

Pablo Carreno Busta (SPA) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [2]

Roberto Bautista Agut (SPA) [5] v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)

Court One

Starting at 2pm

Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) v Dennis Novak (AUT) 

Joao Sousa (POR) v Filip Krajinovic (SRB)

Not before 5pm:

Rajeev Ram (USA) and Joe Salisbury (GBR) [1] v Marin Cilic v Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Nikoloz Basilashvili v Ricardas Berankis (LTU)

Countries offering golden visas

UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.

Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.

Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.

Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.

Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence. 

ENGLAND%20SQUAD
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

LIST OF INVITEES

Shergo Kurdi (am) 
Rayhan Thomas
Saud Al Sharee (am)
Min Woo Lee
Todd Clements
Matthew Jordan
AbdulRahman Al Mansour (am)
Matteo Manassero
Alfie Plant
Othman Al Mulla
Shaun Norris

Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5