UAE women’s athletic team to make history

History was made in the UAE yesterday when the country’s first women’s track and field squad was announced.

"We've never had something like this happening ever in the history of the country. This is the first time ever that the UAE officially has a women's team in the track and field," said Ahmad Al Kamali, IAAF Council Member and President of the UAE Athletics Association (UAEAA).

The names of 20 junior girls were announced on Sunday after trials at the Dubai Police Officers Club ground. Al Kamali said the new squad would be heading to the UK for this year’s London Olympics. She said, "The aim is to start from the beginning, and by having a pool of junior girls, we can aspire for something great over a period of time.”

The squad will make its debut in Muscat later this month, for the Gulf Athletics Championships.