Qatar’s first female Olympic athlete sizes up the 100 metres to stardom

Though  17-year old sprinter  Noor Hussain al-Malki knows that she might not be able to win medals at the London Olympic Games where she will be representing Qatar, she is certainly likely to become known as a “woman sports pioneer who broke barriers”.The diminutive Doha native has been named in the Qatari Olympic team and will earn her 15 minutes of fame as Qatar’s first female Olympian, along with swimmer Nada Arkaji, thus ending a 28 -year drought. Her participation at the Olympics will motivate athletes of her age as well as encourage other girls to take sports seriously.It all started four years ago for teenager al-Malki, who began training in 2008 under  Tunisian Naima Ben Amara, a former international middle distance runner, having been selected from her school.Ben Amara has eight years of experience, starting from her native country in 2004 and in between these years, she took training courses in Tunisia, Cairo and Leipzig.  “After a year of training I had to take a four month break for personal reasons. Later on, I took one more break until I restarted,” explained Qatar’s fastest lady al-Malki.“Noor is a big talent. Since the day I met her she gave me the impression that one day she could become a professional athlete. She started with a time of 15.13 in the 100m and she lowered it to 12.73. She could have become much  better if she hadn’t stopped training twice. When she first started she rarely showed up for training. She didn’t know what it meant to follow a steady training regime,” coach Ben Amara said of al-Malki.However, for al-Malki, training and studying do not get along easily as she said: “I try to balance and perform well in both directions. I practice one and a half hours per day. There is no time for more because my parents, although they are interested in my sporting career,  care about my studies as well”.  She has won national and regional titles including the ‘Best Female Athlete’ award for 2010-2011. Al-Malki, who likes to play the organ in her spare time, is keen on winning titles, but there is a huge gulf in standards at the GCC level and the Olympic Games. She said about her Olympic selection: “I was surprised and excited. I didn’t expect the honour. I feel very happy I will represent my country in London. I know it is a heavy burden but I promise I will try at least to improve my personal best. I will train hard to achieve my goal.”The call-up was unexpected for coach Naima as well: “It was a very nice surprise for me. I am delighted to see her enthusiasm.” Although Noor is still very young, she likes to set realistic targets:“I know I am not capable of sparkling performances in London. First I want to become an Arab Champion in my favourite event, the 100m and then see myself winning Asian and international competitions.”Her coach Naima  is not daydreaming either about her athlete’s prospects in London: “We have to set a realistic target. We are still far away from the top level. Noor’s goal is not a medal or something equivalent. We want to improve her personal best and give a good account of Qatar’s abilities.”As far the as the Doha Samsung Diamond League (SDL) is concerned and the chance to compete against the world’s best sprinters, Noor said: “We are halfway through the local season. The Diamond League is in the middle of it. Our preparation includes the SDL, but we are mainly focused on the Emir Cup.”Al-Malki, whose idol is world 400m finalist, Femi Ogunode, also admires Mutaz Barshim. She believes that athletics in Qatar “will develop and standards are bound to climb”.  Around 70 girls are now practicing athletes according to QAAF’s head coach Joachim Krug. The highlights of her career in 100m are: GCC Women’s Championship (2011 – first position and 2012 – third), Arab Club Championships (2012 – second position), Arab Games heat (2011 – fifth), West Asian Youth Championships (2011 – second), Qualification for Youth Games – heat (2010 - seventh).At 200m: 1st GCC Women’s Championships (2012 – third), Arab Games (2011 – eighth), GCC Women’s Championships (2011 –first) and West Asian Youth Championship (2011 – first)4x100m: Arab Games (2011 – third) and GCC Women’s Championships (2011 – second).