Takes on a double assignment at the World Summer Games

A citizen with determination. Golfer and assistant football coach at Berlin 2023

  • From Ali bin Samida's previous participation in golf competitions with the Special Olympics team. From the source

  • Ali bin Samida: "The UAE is one of the world's leading countries in accelerating the pace of social integration, which was confirmed by the Abu Dhabi Global 2019."

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Silver medallist Ali Bin Samida, who won silver in the golf competition at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019, wants to combine the stardom of his favorite game with the coronation with the unified football team, when he takes on the dual assignment of golfer and assistant football coach at the World Summer Games "Berlin 2023" hosted by Germany from 17 to 25 of next month.

Ali bin Samida, 19, who is classified in the categories of "mild and moderate brain disability", told Emirates Today: "The strong momentum I achieved in the Abu Dhabi 2019 world, and winning the silver medal in golf competitions, was behind my continued effort to serve the national teams, with the aim of raising the UAE flag in the largest international forums, to work since 2021 in addition to my perseverance in competitions and training in my favorite game as an assistant coach of the unified football team."

He explained: "My association with sports dates back to an early age through my affiliation with Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination in an opportunity that paved the way for my involvement in golf, and obtaining the honor of representing the UAE national team and winning the silver medal at the Abu Dhabi World Cup 2019, and since then my ambitions are great to continue to make an effort to gift the country the gold medal in the Berlin 2023 world, in addition to obtaining two years ago the confidence of the coaching staff of the football team to occupy the position of assistant coach."

He added: "We live in a generous country that does not skimp on its people to provide all means of support, especially since the UAE is one of the world's leading countries in accelerating the pace of community integration, which was confirmed by the Abu Dhabi World Cup 2019 in hosting the largest and largest event in the history of the Special Olympics World Games, to continue working with the support of the UAE Golf Federation to develop my skills, whether in terms of training, or even competing in local or international tournaments, including crowning the bronze of the President's Cup in 2020 as part of the unified team, and then pushed by the Game Federation to compete in the Pro-M Challenge, the event accompanying the HSBC Championship on the European Professional Tour in Abu Dhabi 2021."

Ali pointed out that practicing many sports activities comes in addition to continuing his academic excellence. "Despite the intensive preparations for the Berlin world, I am keen to find a balance between daily training and academic excellence, as I am in the last year of high school," he said.

On his relationship with football and diversity in tasks, Ali concluded by saying: "The journey of determination and support that we enjoy, in addition to the great experiences enjoyed by Zayed Higher Organization and Special Olympics UAE, was behind giving me the ability to break the barrier of fear, and transform from a shy young man to occupy many tasks, as I am an ambassador for health, and a member of the United Youth Council, in addition to that my passion for football was behind giving me the opportunity to join the coaching staff as an assistant coach, and I work hard to continue to shine in sports. My favorite is golf."