UAE earmarks AED 7 mn for Incheon 2014

The UAE Athletic Federation announced today its strategy for participation at the 17th Asian Games which will take place in Incheon, Korea, from 29 September to October 4, 2014. The Federation has earmarked AED 7 million to better prepare and train 30 athletes for the games. President of UAE Athletic Federation Ahmad Al Kamali met with prospective players to explain the Federation's strategy of engaging in the games. There will be approximately 20,000 participants, comprised of 13,000 athletes and team officials from the 45 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and 7,000 media. The slogan is "Diversity Shines Here". Athletes will compete in 36 sports, including the 28 Olympic Games sports on the programme for Rio de Janeiro 2016. Organisers will use 49 competition venues, including 23 new stadiums, and 54 training venues, 49 of which already exist. The ground-breaking ceremony for the 60,000-capacity main stadium took place on June 28, 2011, and work is expected to be completed by April 2014.