Athletics Federation chief impressed with youth at athletics event

Dubai // Three days of intensive interschool competition has unearthed young talent with the potential to become star athletes, Ahmed Al Kamali, the Athletics Federation chief, said after the event.

The Commercial Bank of Dubai Youth Athletics Championships, which were held for the first time last weekend, attracted more than 1,000 competitors, and Al Kamali was impressed with the talent on show, particularly Mohammed Mustafa, the winner of the boys' 1,500m, and Mohammed bin Sulayem, the shot put gold medallist.

"I was surprised to see the level of a couple of participants," said Al Kamali, who is also a council member of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the sports' governing body. "They looked very talented.

"A couple of girls have also shown a very good level. So it is great start; I have seen the future of athletics here."

He said the new event should benefit the sport in a big way.

"We have our own programme at the Athletics Federation with 400 schools participating," he said.

"With this event and our own programme, we will start a new era in athletics here."

Al Kamali will present a report on the event to the IAAF.

"At the IAAF, we are looking at such kind of competitions," he said. "So I will give a full report to the council members and the board of the IAAF about this competition in Istanbul in March.

"This is the first time they have organised this event and they had 40 schools. Next year, I am sure the number will be more than double, which is going assist us in achieving our targets.

"I believe this event is a massive support to the future of athletics in the country."