A twelve-member Emirati team is set to embark on an adventurous journey to the snowy peaks of the Val Thorens region in France on December 2, in celebration of National Day. The skiers will challenge the Alps and proudly raise the UAE flag at an altitude of over 3,000 metres. This initiative was launched by UAE Skiers on Thursday, November 14, as part of their National Skiing Talents program, aimed at discovering and promoting Emirati skiing talents.
The preparation for this trip has been in progress for over six months, involving detailed planning, reservations, marketing, and technical training. A dedicated team of photographers will be present to document this significant event, capturing the journey of these aspiring athletes as they tackle the challenges of skiing at high altitudes.
The initiative is designed to nurture local skiing talents and provide a comprehensive training environment beyond the familiar slopes of Ski Dubai, as emphasised by Ibrahim. The rigorous training sessions are crafted to prepare these athletes to represent the UAE on international platforms with full readiness.
The selected team has undergone intensive training, making this adventure not only a sporting achievement but also a cultural one that embodies the spirit of challenge and creativity among Emirati youth. The selection process for National Skiing Talents includes assessing skills at Ski Dubai. Those who demonstrated a professional level of skiing qualified for the trip, while others will have the opportunity to train and improve.
This initiative was launched in conjunction with the UAE National Day to highlight national aspirations and the strategic role of the General Authority of Sports in fostering Emirati talents across various sports. UAE Skiers’ inaugural trip took place in 2013, when the UAE flag was raised at Sölden in Austria, standing at 3,340 metres. Since then, the initiative has expanded, with trips to the Matterhorn summit in Switzerland and the Bouclet summit in France.
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