Monday, Aug 15, 2016

Dubai: The UAE’s second medal in the Olympics won by an athlete of foreign origin last week triggered a debate on social media on Monday, with hundreds of users sharing their opinions on whether Emiratis should consider this a national achievement or not.

Judoka Sergiu Toma, originally from Moldova, won a bronze medal, the UAE’s second-ever Olympic medal last week.

However, some Emiratis expressed their opinion on Twitter over the idea of granting UAE citizenship to a foreign player just to earn Olympic medals.

The UAE has sent a 13-member contingent, including at least six of foreign origin.

Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security in Dubai, criticised the author of an article in an Arabic newspaper for describing the medal as a great achievement for the UAE even though Toma was not Emirati by birth.

The author of the article, Sami Al Reyami, editor-in-chief of Emarat Al Youm, argued in favour of such players, saying that in events like the Olympics, giving citizenship to talented players is a widespread practice and that Toma’s representation was not a threat to the Emirati identity. “He is an Olympic champion...He gifted the UAE and Arabs the first Olympic medal in Rio Olympic games and raised the UAE flag in front of hundreds of thousands of people as the national anthem was being played. The entire world now knows the UAE has earned a medal,” Al Reyami wrote.

In response to Al Reyami’s article, Lt Gen Dahi tweeted: “I know that many people are happy with Sergiu [Toma] earning an Olympics medal for the UAE, congratulations to those who are happy about it, but I personally don’t feel anything unless it was that the sons of this nation had earned it.”

In another tweet, he wrote: “Why not give the UAE citizenship to every good foreign player out there and win all medals, since this is something to be proud about.”

Lt Gen Dahi said what Emiratis have achieved and continue to achieve in other championships is something honouring to everyone, but in Toma’s case he does not represent any Emirati or Arab.

Kuwait and Qatar are the two other GCC countries known for sending foreign players for the Olympics. Ruth Jebet of Bahrain, who won gold in the women’s 3,000-metre steeplechase race on Monday, is of Kenyan origin.

His tweets triggered reactions from other Emiratis and Arabs. Many of them supported him while a few others said Toma is now considered an Emirati regardless of his origin.

Some, however, demanded that the Olympics committee should resign or be held accountable for taking such decisions.

Mohammad Al Hashemi @5ald975 said: “If this was an achievement by an Emirati or any other Arab carrying the citizenship it would have felt different. We have all what it takes to bring talented athelets to train our youth.”

@a77adawn tweeted: “Let’s tell those who don’t know what nationalism is that we are people who only raise our heads high to achievements of our sons.”

Abdullah Rasheed @abdullar57 tweeted saying, “The question is why can’t Arab nations with a total population of 300 million be able to prepare sportsmen who can compete internationally and earn medals.”

Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, a professor of political science, also joined the debate: “If Jamaica, which is considered a small and poor nation managed to have their own talented runners, then why is the UAE and other GCC countries unable to have their own talented runners and swimmers.”

He also said: “I ask the national council to open a file on foreign players representing the UAE in Rio 2016 and hold the Olympics officials accountable. Whoever is responsible owes everyone an apology and should be courageous enough to resign for himself.”

Contesting his point, user @CBR971 said: “Toma is still considered an Emirati after all and we are proud of him as we are proud of our nation..”

Agreed @aligamdi40 wrote: “He won representing the UAE and his achievement is not personal to him but to all Emiratis.”

Another user, @abo22v3, said: “I will be the first to welcome him [at the airport], because whoever raises the Emirati flag deserves appreciation.”

By Mary Achkhanian Staff Reporter

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