Winter Dream… "Love Among Asia" Unveils the Opening Ceremony Highlights
Faris Al-Mutawa: The UAE delegation’s participation in Harbin showcases the nation’s progress and commitment to winter sports
Mohammed Moulay: Athletes underwent training under three different climate conditions
The 9th edition of the Asian Winter Games kicks off tomorrow, Friday, at 4:00 PM UAE time in Harbin, China, running from 7 to 14 February. The event brings together 1,500 athletes from 34 Asian National Olympic Committees, competing in six sports, 11 disciplines, and 64 events—32 ice events in Harbin and 32 snow events in Yabuli.
The UAE flag at the opening ceremony will be carried by Amna Al Muhairi, a snowboarder, and Sultan Al Kindi, a freestyle skier. The ceremony will be structured into three segments under the theme "Winter Dream, Love Among Asia."
The UAE delegation comprises seven athletes—six men and one woman—competing in three disciplines: slalom skiing, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding.
The national team held its first training session on Thursday after arriving in Harbin, enduring extreme cold conditions, with temperatures dropping to minus 24 degrees Celsius during the day. The session aimed to help the athletes familiarise themselves with the competition venues and acclimate quickly in preparation for the continental event.
UAE national ice-skating coach Mohammed Ait Moulay highlighted the benefits of the training camp in Georgia, designed to prepare athletes for competition under three different weather conditions—sunlight, fog, and snowfall—ensuring adaptability to all environments. He noted that all players successfully executed their pre-planned training programs and technical drills during the camp.
Ait Moulay added that Amna Al Muhairi completed her preparations at a European training camp to refine her technical readiness, while Alex Estridge wrapped up his camp in Italy, where he participated in an official championship. These training efforts reflect the UAE delegation’s commitment to competing among Asia’s top winter sports athletes.
Meanwhile, H.E. Faris Mohammed Al Mutawa, Secretary General of the UAE National Olympic Committee, said that the UAE’s participation in the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin—with seven athletes across three sports for the first time—marks a significant milestone in the growth and development of winter sports in the UAE. He emphasized that this achievement strengthens the UAE’s presence among nations with high-level winter sports programmes, aligning with the NOC’s vision of promoting a strong competitive sports culture at all levels.
Al Mutawa underscored the importance of diversifying sports participation while achieving excellence, emphasising the role of representing the UAE with competence and impact to leave a lasting positive mark on the nation’s sporting landscape. He noted that this progress reflects the leadership’s firm support for the sports sector, translating it into tangible achievements on the global stage.
The Secretary General of the UAE NOC praised the dedication and continuous efforts of the UAE Winter Sports Federation in realising key objectives. He stressed the importance of enhancing the sustainability and effectiveness of winter sports by expanding the athlete base, nurturing talent, and solidifying the UAE’s position in this field. He further noted that Emirati athletes' success reflects their determination and resilience, demonstrating their ability to excel in winter sports despite climatic challenges, reinforcing the UAE’s growing presence in the global sporting arena.
Humaid Al Ansari will compete in the men’s snowboarding event on Saturday, facing 19 athletes from 11 Asian countries. Meanwhile, Amna Al Muhairi will represent the UAE in the women’s snowboarding competition, competing against nine athletes from five countries.
The final full-dress rehearsal for the 9th Asian Winter Games opening ceremony in Harbin has been completed, testing all elements, including warm-up performances, celebrations, artistic displays, and television broadcasting sequences.
Over 8,000 spectators attended the rehearsal, with the ceremony divided into three segments under the theme "Winter Dream, Love Among Asia." The cauldron lighting ceremony was successfully executed by linking the two designated performance sites.
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