216 swimmers from 33 nations splash it out in Dubai leg of FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup 2016 from 4 – 5 Oct!

WAM -- Dubai is hosting one of the Middle East legs of the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup 2016, as the world-class event first returns to the emirate on 4th and 5th October, welcoming elite swimmers such as Katinka Hosszu, Vladimir Morozov, Chad Le Clos, Jeanette Ottesen and many others.

Speaking at press conference at the Hamdan Complex Centre, FINA President, Dr. Julio C Maglione, in the presence of FINA Bureau Member and UAE Swimming Federation President Ahmad Abdulla Al Falasi, said, "It is always a great pleasure to be back in Dubai, one of FINA’s most experienced partners. Dubai and the UAE Swimming Federation have never failed to be reliable partners.

"I would like to express one more time my gratitude to the authorities of Dubai and all the people involved in the organisation of the series. Dubai and the whole nation are highly professional organisers and all the events hosted here in the past have always been of great quality.

Ghazi Al Modani, Sports Tourism Manager at Dubai Sports Council, also present at the press conference, said, "We are always very proud to showcase the Hamdan Complex Centre on the international stage. As you know, excellence is so important for me and for my country, and organising a leg of the World Series every year just brings a smile to my face."

"We want to grow our national team too, having a team developing and growing here is our priority. We are a big family, a big community. It is not a one off event but a long term relationships with FINA. Thanks to all involved, especially the federations."

Swimmer Mohamed Almheiri, representing the UAE, welcomed everyone and admitted that "representing our country internationally is great because we boost the image of Dubai. We need to continue to achieve more for the country I think."

A total of 33 countries are taking part in the Dubai meet, 144 men and 72 women will be taking the part over the two-day competition. In addition, 105 club swimmers will be performing under international standards in the Hamdan Sports Complex.

The FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup second Middle East leg is in Doha, and then the competition heads across Asia for the final events cluster with stops in Singapore, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

WAM/Esraa/Moran