In recognition of his global and continental excellence, and as confirmation of his sporting worth on the international stage as a role model for Qatari, Arab and Gulf youth, our Olympic champion Mutaz Essa Barshim, world high jump champion and current outright leader in the high jump in the 2015 Diamond League, received the “Best Asian Athlete” award for athletics, thanks to his dedication, perseverance and commitment. The award was presented at a major ceremony organised by the Asian Athletics Association, chaired by Major General Dahlan Al Hamad, president of the Asian and Qatar federations and IAAF vice-president, at the grand conference hall for the first time, at the close of the 21st Asian congress held in Wuhan over three days. Qatar’s golden boy, Barshim, was crowned Best Athlete for athletics on the world’s largest continent, deservedly earning the highest points among nominees for the Asian federation’s awards – a wonderful initiative and pioneering step by the Asian federation, under Al Hamad, to honour and recognise all of the continent’s sporting achievers across all categories and ages, including the “pioneer generation” who gave so generously, laid the foundations of the sport on the continent, and lit the way for our future.
The award ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, headed by the deputy sports minister, IAAF president Lamine Diack and his deputies Lord Coe and Sergey Bubka, in addition to Asian federation board members, heads of participating delegations, and the honoured pioneers, former presidents and athletes.
Mohammed Jassim Al Kuwari, secretary-general of the Qatar Athletics Federation, received the sporting excellence award on behalf of gold medallist Mutaz Essa Barshim from Al Hamad, as Barshim was unable to arrive in time to attend the ceremony honouring Asia’s best athletes.
