The sports industry in the UAE has only witnessed growth, driven by an increased focus on staying fit, embracing physical activities, and even pursuing careers in sports. And now, the trend of athletics, in particular, is on the rise.
Lisa Campbell, founder of Ultimate Athletics UAE, PGCE in Physical Education, supports this growth, noting that the UAE has seen huge improvements in infrastructure, facilities, and governance, thanks to the Dubai Sports Council.
For her, athletics is the “mother of all sports,” providing the fundamentals for a healthy, active lifestyle. Even if one does not aspire to be an elite athlete, there are numerous physical, psychological, and social benefits to “just participating”.
Lisa founded Ultimate Athletics in 2015 as a passionate PE Teacher who was eager to give young athletes a place to train and pursue their talents beyond school hours. And now, over 1500 athletes and 20 professional coaches are on this journey with her, with 7 venues across Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
“Sprints, middle distance, hurdles, jumps, and throws, all coaches hired because, like me, they love what they do. I could have stopped coaching a long time ago, but you will still find me at venues with my athletes several nights a week coaching because being on the ground is what keeps me connected to the athletes and parents and keeps the ultimate vibe and friendly reputation which we are renowned for,” said Lisa.
How is athletics taking center stage in the UAE?
The UAE is home to some of the country’s top-ranked athletes, such as Peter Blyckert, the UAE’s fastest U17 in the 200m and Swedish National Champion, Carla Benzmuller, the UAE’s fastest in the 3k and 5k and German National Champion, and Will Brain, the UAE’s fastest in the 600m and ranked No. 1 on Power of 10 UK. Thanks to the use of the World Athletics-approved Lynx timing system, their race times are recognized in their home countries.
“In addition to our monthly race nights, Federation meets, and DASSA Athletics meets, we take an elite squad annually to the World Youth Games in Sweden, where we won 7 medals last year, demonstrating that we can compete on a global stage,” Lisa is very proud of.
What’s next on the UAE’s athletics front?
Lisa and her team hope to compete in the New Balance Nationals in the US in the upcoming season, as NB is the sponsor in this region. It would provide a great opportunity for the athletes to experience the highest level of student athletics in America.
The UAE’s efforts to secure a presence at the Olympic Games
Campbell remarked, “I hope to continue to work with the Ministry of Sport here, where James Baker has recognized the need for pathways and support for athletes via strength and conditioning, nutrition support, and tracking athletes’ progress in the hope that one day they represent UAE at Olympic Games and other International Athletics Competitions at the highest level.”
We also heard from Khalid, Elite Middle Distance Coach, who highlighted that the growth in athletics over the last 3 years has led to significant improvements in several key areas.
“One of these is the competitive aspect of athletics, such more races available for athletes to participate in these include – Ultimate race nights, super sports road races, UAE federation championships, and many more. This gives the youth the platform to compete more and display the quality of athletes here in UAE,” he said.
“Touching on the competition side, it also gives the athletes the platform to reach higher than just the local level but also the international level. In the last 3 years, we’ve seen the number of athletes competing at World Youth Games in Gothenburg grow year on year. Recently we came away with 4 gold, 3 silver, and 1 bronze medal proving the calibre of athletes we have in UAE,” Khalid added.
How parents in the UAE are unlocking their children’s potential
“We are her first motivators. We encouraged her participation in sports from a young age, fostering a love for athletics that has led to a long-term commitment from her. We sacrifice weekends and personal time to support Thalia’s training and competition schedules, this shows our full commitment to Thalia’s athletic journey,” said Nadia & Ed O’Reilly, parents of Thalia O’Reilly, age 13, DESS College.
“The UAE’s progressive approach to athletics along with Ultimate Athletics, combined with our parental support, creates an environment conducive to nurturing Thalia’s young talent. By leveraging available resources and opportunities, young athletes like Thalia can thrive in their sporting endeavors, paving the way for a successful future in athletics,” shared Nadia.
Ed O’Reilly, further explained, “We have invested in coaching, equipment, and travel for competitions, which is a financial commitment, but we see it as an investment for Thalia’s future. We use social media and the support of Ultimate Athletics and their superior knowledge to find additional training opportunities, competitions, and scholarships, enhancing Thalia’s prospects in athletics.”
Bernard Mensah, Athlete, Coach at Ultimate Athletics, mentioned how his two daughters have competed in over 11 school squads. He expressed that the level of coaching and quality competition that the club provides is beyond anything he had in the UK at the same age.
Bernard shared, “My girls started when they were 3 years old, joining the Tots athletics class, they have received amazing coaching from the coaches at Ultimate Athletics, learning the fundamental movements and body control that has helped them in many sports. Now 12 and 9, they are extremely sporty and have transferred the skills and techniques that they have learned to compete for their schools in multiple sports for their school in the DASSA sports leagues.”
Byron Theunissen, proud parent to daughters aged 11 and 13 also expressed joy and said, “Being part of my daughters’ athletics journey is a privilege. While there are sacrifices along the way, the joy of watching them grow as athletes and as an individual makes it all worthwhile. And with the guidance of Ultimate Athletics Academy, I am confident they are on the right path to achieve their dreams.”
“Ultimate Athletics Academy has been instrumental in shaping their journey. The exceptional coaching staff not only hone their technical skills but also nurture their confidence and discipline. The academy provides numerous platforms for young athletes to grow, including their Racenights, participation in federation leagues, and even international competitions like the Gothenburg World Youth Games. These opportunities expose them to different levels of competition, preparing them for greater challenges ahead,” Byron added.
Lisa reflects on her journey and believes there is much to look forward to for UAE in the future. She is confident that their efforts will soon help them achieve all their goals.
Image Credits: All By Melissa Lear
