After having become the first Emirati to make it to the Pro Men Division finals where he finished a credible fourth, teenager Omeir Saeed is determined to carry on the good work in future international events.
"It was a big achievement for me to make it to the finals with the best wakeboarders in the world. I want to do wakeboard professionally and compete at the international level and keep getting the same results,” Saeed told XPRESS.
The 17-year-old first-year undergraduate at the American University in Sharjah was also crowned victorious on home turf in the Open Wake Skate World Championship also held at the at the Al Forsan International Sports Resorts.
"”I am really happy to have done it in my home park with all my friends and family watching me. On top of all that, I also added bonus winning the Open World Skate Championship. This is result of hard training and commitment,” Saeed said.
Saeed admitted he was unable to train full time due to his academics, but was confident he could handle both well.
Saeed, who has competed in China, Sweden and Norway earlier, plans to travel to the final round of the WWA Wake Park Championship in Thailand next month.
"I just want to ride as much as possible and try to progress on all aspects of my riding and hopefully compete in my competitions.
"I need some more time on the water because I'm only on there for a limited time each week due to my studies.”
He said wakeboard was catching on among youngsters in the region and lots of youngsters were taking up the sport.
"I am very proud to be the first Emirati to make it in a pro men's final and with the upcoming riders in the UAE I won't be the last. There has been a big improvement in the level of riding here in the UAE, especially with the young kids,” Saeed said.
Source: WAM