My interview (Voice Recording): Final Report.m4a
Changes in sport & leisure activities
My reflection to Jumma
Al-Hosani interview
At the beginning of the UAE federation, people were seeking the stability under the new cabinet of the United Arab Emirates. There was an enormous movement between the seven emirates. There was no interest in sports at all. They were playing their traditional games no matter the place and the weather. Nowadays, the UAE has become a significant part of sports both locally and globally.
Currently, sport and leisure depends on history and social conditions primarily. My interviewer Juma Al-Hosani was born in 1964. At this time, people didn't know too much about sport. By the date of the federation, sports began to spread into the community, and there were many clubs established. Football was the most popular sport that attracted all strata of society. Jumma joined Al-Emarat Club at the age of 10, which is now Al-Wahda Club after the merger with Abu Dhabi club. Then he moved to Bani Yas Club because he faced some difficulties in transportation. However, Bani Yas club was founded in 1981 by His Highness Shiek Saif Bin Zayed. Likewise, leisure in the past was limited between camel racing, falconry and bullfighting. All these entertainments reflect our traditions in the previous time.
Moreover, Emirati league was an amateur league, and professionalism was not applied and the players were not open minded whatever the sport is, such as football, basketball and handball. The player could have a job and practice the sport at the same time. It was like a hobby to them. Besides, the sense of belonging was implanted in them, and they were loyal to the logo and the shirt they wore no matter the salary. Besides, the masses were fond of football; they were flocking to the stadiums to support their teams and enjoy the games. In addition, people were rearing animals to practice their leisure with the society without aim, only for fun, like camel racing, falconry and bullfighting. However, there were no motivations to the players; so many players left the sport at a young age like my interviewer Jumaa; he left Bani Yas Club in 1993 because he was busy with work, study and marriage.
Nowadays, sports and leisure have become an enormous business in the country. Professionalism is applied, and the players have become professionals and open minded in all areas of sport. There are unlimited numbers of sponsors in the fields. Sports turn into jobs with high salaries compared to engineers, officers and doctors. Clubs are assigning pro players from all over the world. Furthermore, professionalism created talented players that ennobled the country globally. But, recently, players play for their names and personal interests; they ignore the team interest and think about themselves. If they are offered an attractive offer from another club; they will not hesitate to accept. Moreover, there are many new sports which have appeared in the UAE which became a big affair. For instance, jiu-jitsu is a Brazilian sport that received much attention in the UAE under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed. And skydiving in Dubai became an attractive activity to the society that is led by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed. To summarize, Jumaa showed the vast difference between the past and present in these domains (sport, leisure and society).
In the end, Jumaa ended the interview with valuable tips directed towards youth who are interested in sports and leisure. He said ‘’ if a person has talent, he/she should not neglect it and use it wisely to achieve success, and if they reach a high position he/she must not get arrogant, because they will fail in the end, and they will regret’’. He added: ‘’ they should ignore distractions such as; smoking, unhealthy foods and drinking’’. All that will lead to a successful life is based on health and happiness.
