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Cairo: The UAE proved to be right on the mark on Monday as Shama Al Muhairi shot her way to gold in the women's 25 metres pistol final.
Muhairi's performance heralded the end of the shooting competition and the first gold that an Emirati woman has won these Pan Arab Games. The only other medal to be won by a female UAE athlete so far came from Latifa Suwaidi in the disabled discus throw.
The Military Shooting Club in Giza, which nestles in the shadow of the pyramids, has proved a successful venue for the emirates with two silver and four bronze medals also being claimed there in the name of the UAE.
And Dr Khamal Ma'adawi, the manager of the UAE shooting team, declared himself delighted with Al Muhairi's performance, but warned that she was not yet at Olympic level.
"She did very well and we are very proud. It is a big thing to win a gold medal for your country and she has now proved that she is the best Arab woman in the 25 metres pistol, so of course I am very happy," he said.
"But the Arab level is below the Asian level and if she wants to improve then she must also win in Asian competitions."
Olympic qualifier
Ma'adawi added that Al Muhairi will head to Kuwait next month to take part in an Asian Olympic qualifying competition.
"Now she will go to Kuwait for sure and as that is a qualifying competition it is a big deal for her. But right now we are celebrating this gold medal, which she has earned."
Ebrahim Abdul Malek, general secretary of the UAE Olympic Committee and general secretary of the General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare, congratulated the Emirati marksmen and women, who have done so well over the past week.
"We are really proud of everyone," he said. "There has been brilliant shooting from every single member of the team."
UAE finally end losing streak
The UAE football team have finally given their supporters something to smile about after beating Sudan 2-0 in Port Said on Sunday night.
Having been thrashed by Egypt's first team (3-0) and Libya (2-0), the UAE under-23 squad faced a more equal battle against twice-defeated Sudan, who also fielded second-string players.
But the UAE were able to raise their game and offer fans a much-needed lift with their victory.
Hopefully, fans will remember the feeling as the UAE tonight must line-up opposite powerful Saudi Arabia, who have brought their African Cup of Nations runner-up team to contest the Pan Arab Games.
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