After obtaining the necessary international driving licence to practice her sport professionally, a 22-year-old UAE women became the first Emirati female athlete to join the national speedboat racing team.
Alya Abdul Salam competes in Formula 4 boat races across multiple championships which represents a historic moment for Emirati sports. Her father’s role in managing and organising the President’s Cup for Formula 2 boats during her childhood sparked her passion for speedboat racing.
She found her passion and ability for racing during a summer trip to Norway.
Alya stressed that her upbringing was essential to her determination to pursue her chosen path despite the obstacles of working in a male-dominated field. The UAE empowerment initiatives for women have significantly reinforced her determination to achieve excellence.
Competing in the UAE required Alya to manage both her training sessions and her work responsibilities. She explained how she managed through support from UAE Federation and Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club who provided workshops and expertise.
Emotional and moral support
After returning from Norway she experienced discouragement because she wanted to keep improving her skills through further training. The combination of determination and their concentration on marketing together with physical training helped her maintain her trajectory.
Alya’s family gave her strong backing throughout her career with her father playing a particularly key role. The UAE Marine Sports Federation’s backing played an essential role in our progress.
Inspiring other Emirati women
Alya serves as a pioneer in her field to motivate both Emirati women and girls. She said: She stated the country recognizes the importance of women in society through its wise leadership. Young girls should focus on self-discovery and embrace new possibilities.
As for her racing style, Alya describes it in three terms: Alya defines her racing approach with three core components: patience which enables learning from experiences, focus which prevents mistakes, and seizing opportunities which leads to achieving goals.
She maintains her physical and mental readiness for races through the combined support of her team and sponsors who provide healthcare provisions and nutrition guidance together with a solid programme that strengthens their training commitment.
Looking ahead
Alya has set goals to compete in winter local competitions and summer international events for the next half-decade.
Looking back over her path Alya explained that unexpected experiences have significantly impacted her development. It was a defining moment,” she recounted.
Alia encountered a challenging moment when she attempted to pass boats during a race where she was the sole female participant against young male sailors who refused to let her advance. However, she managed to surpass several teams.
Alya demonstrates through her journey that determination along with support enables individuals to break barriers across different fields. Her speedboat racing career represents both a personal triumph and a step forward for women’s empowerment in UAE sports.