Famous athletes from United Arab Emirates

UAE witnessed some very talented athletes over the years, many of who have gone on to represent their country in the Olympics.

Sultan Zarawani

Sultan Mohammed Zarawani (born 24 January 1961) is a former United Arab Emirates cricketer. He played seven one-day internationals. After the 1996 Cricket World Cup, he was banned for life when he criticized the officials of the Emirates Cricket Board. Under his leadership, the UAE won the 1994 ICC Trophy in Kenya which earned them qualification for the 1996 Cricket World Cup. He also captained the UAE in their first-ever One Day International match which was played against India. Although his team was defeated, Zarawani did manage to capture one wicket – that of Sachin Tendulkar.

Mohammad Tauqir

Mohammad Tauqir Khan (born 14 January 1972) is a United Arab Emirati cricketer. He is a UAE national. He is a lower-order batsman and off-spin bowler, he played his first game for UAE in the final of the 1996 ACC Trophy (batting at 11 and not bowling). He has been part of the UAE team in the last three ICC Trophies and the last six ACC Trophies. His best bowling performance came against Japan with 6–10 off 10 overs in the 2000 ACC Trophy. Mohammad Tauqir also set the record for the oldest captain on captaincy debut in T20I history bowling performance came against Japan with 6–10 off 10 overs in the 2000 ACC Trophy.

Ahmed Al-Maktoum

Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohammad bin Hasher Al Maktoum (born 31 December 1963 in Dubai is a shooter from the United Arab Emirates, who won the first-ever Olympic medal for his country. At the 2004 Summer Olympics, he won the double trap event and finished fourth in the trap event. At the 2005 ISSF World Cup, he won another gold medal in double trap. He competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics but did not reach the final in a trap. He subsequently began coaching young British shooter Peter Wilson, who would win the double trap event at the 2012 London Olympics.

Ismail Matar

Ismail Matar Ibrahim Khamis Al Mukhaini Al Junaibi (‎ born 7 April 1983 in Abu Dhabi) is an Emirati footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or forwards for Al Wahda and captains the UAE national team. Matar was awarded the Golden Ball at the 2003 World Youth Championships after being voted the tournament’s best player even though the UAE only reached the quarter-finals. He is best known for leading the UAE to their first-ever trophy, the 18th Arabian Gulf Cup, which was held in Abu Dhabi in 2007. Matar scored 5 goals in 5 games and was named player of the tournament and the top scorer.

Adnan-Al Talyani

Adnan Khamis Mohammed Obaid Al-Talyani Al Suwaidi (born 30 October 1964) is a retired footballer from the United Arab Emirates who played as a forward. It was in 1980 that Talyani joined the Al Shaab Club, and stayed with the club throughout his entire club career there, until 1999. When the former trainer of the Iran national team, Heshmat Mohajerani, was chosen as the trainer of the United Arab Emirates national team, Talyani was picked to be part of the UAE national team. Although he did play, Talyani retired from playing international football in 1997. At the time of his retirement, he became the all-time leader in international appearances with his 164 caps and 53 goals.

Omar Abdulrahman

Omar Abdulrahman Ahmed Al Raaki Al Amoodi (born 20 September 1991) is an Emirati professional association football player who plays for Al Jazira. ESPN FC ranked Abdulrahman #1 in the Top ten Asian players of 2012. In 2013, Abdulrahman was listed by FIFA in the most promising future stars in Asia. Abdulrahman was ranked thirty-nine on the Goal 50 list for the best 50 players of the season 2012–13

Ali Al-Wehaibi

Ali Ahmad Ali Mohammed Al Wehaibi (born 27 October 1983) is a United Arab Emirati footballer. He currently plays as a midfielder for Al-Ain. Al Wehaibi is also a member of the United Arab Emirates national football team. He reached the Quarter-Final of the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship with The UAE National Team. He scored a goal for the UAE in the opening match of the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. He scored the winning goal in the 2005/2006 UAE Presidents Cup Final match which Al Ain FC won 2-1 against Sharjah.

Zuhair Bakheet

Zuhair Saeed Bakheet-Bilal ( also spelled as Bakhit; born 13 July 1967) is an Emirati footballer who played as a striker for the United Arab Emirates national football team and Al Wasl FC in Dubai. He started playing for the national team in 1988 and retired from international football in 2001. He played in 5 Gulf Cup of Nations, 3 AFC Asian Cup of nations, and the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy.

Saif Mohammed

Saif Mohammed (born 15 September 1983) is an Emarati footballer . He is a lift winger and sometimes plays forward. In July 2008 he was transferred to Al Ain FC For A Reported 12 million Dirhams making him the second most expensive player to be transferred in the UAE League the first being his teammate at Al Ain FC Abdullah Malallah for 15 million Dirhams. Saif made his first appearance in the UAE League back in 2004. Mohammed has made several appearances for the senior United Arab Emirates national football team, including five qualifying matches for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Subait Khater

Subait Khater Fayel Khamis Al-Junaibi (born on February 27, 1980) is an Emirati footballer who is a midfielder for Fujairah SC. He was a member of the United Arab Emirates national football team. Add in four President’s Cup titles, a Super Cup and an Etisalat Cup after joining Jazira in 2008 and a key figure in the UAE’s 2007 Gulf Cup championship side, and it is easy to see how Khater might have trouble sorting out the biggest moments in his career.