UAE’s Alia Nasser believes perceptions towards women’s sports in the country have drastically changed for the better since she first started competing in volleyball a decade ago.
Speaking ahead of next month’s Arab Women Sports Tournament (AWST), where Nasser will headline the Sharjah Ladies Club (SLC) team, the 26-year-old says she’s hoping the tournament will further develop female sports in the region.
“Perceptions (in the UAE) have started to change,” Nasser told Sport360° at Al Jawaher Reception & Convention Centre in Sharjah. “The fact that this tournament will be aired on TV and people can come and watch us means that many girls can be inspired by us and can come join us at the club.
“At first, the mentality of our parents was different than now. It was a bit tough to get into sport, but now things have changed. We travel for camps and tournaments and all parents are extremely proud of the achievements of their daughters.”
Nasser says she’s confident her team can defend their volleyball title next month. “There is another UAE team competing, from Al Wasl. They’re a good team with good abilities. But our team has been improving. Most of us are on the national team, so we have experience on our side.”
The second edition of the AWST takes place from February 2 to 12 and will see some 900 women from 14 countries competing in six sports – volleyball, basketball, athletics, table tennis, fencing and archery – at various venues across Sharjah.
Archery and fencing are the two new sports added to the second edition of the tournament and the athletes are keen to compete on home soil.
SLC’s 17-year-old Mariam Hassan bin Hadya has been training in archery for seven years and is hoping these games can be a stepping stone to her ultimate goal – the Olympics.
“This is my first time competing in these games, so it’s a little bit stressful but I’m also very, very excited,” said bin Hadya. “I’m hoping for the best, it’s my first time competing in the UAE and we want to prove a point – that we can do it.”
Epee fencer Alanoud Al Saadi is hoping to gain more experience by facing some tough opposition.
Majd Alblooshi, who recently competed in the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals, will also be in action in the table tennis event while javelin thrower, Hanan Al Zyoudy is hoping to break her own UAE national record.
