Dubai's first snowsports team to compete globally

Dubai - The team of 17 youngsters - all of whom were scouted on Ski Dubai's slopes - consists of Emirati and expatriate male and female athletes

Ski Dubai has got its first ever snowsports team. The soon-to-be-revealed team will bring together the region's most talented skiers and snowboarders to train and compete on an international level, Majid Al Futtaim announced on Sunday.
The team of 17 youngsters - all of whom were scouted on Ski Dubai's slopes - consists of Emirati and expatriate male and female athletes of varying ages, including Alpine skiers, snowboarders and freestyle skiers.
All sponsored athletes will receive an exclusive Ski Dubai membership, providing them with a number of benefits, including unlimited access to the facilities. Also, as part of the sponsorship programme, they will receive exclusive sessions with experienced coaches in order to further develop their skills. The team will also be provided with equipment and sportswear from internationally-renowned athletics brands, including Spyder, Rossignol and Burton.
Mohammed El Etri, general manager at Ski Dubai, said: "We are extremely proud to be announcing the formation of Ski Dubai's sponsored athletes team. At Ski Dubai, we are committed to supporting the UAE's efforts for encouraging active lifestyles and I am personally proud to have been a part of cultivating and championing such strong local talent on our slopes.
"Now, after more than a decade in the desert, we have fostered a winter sports culture in the UAE and welcome about one million guests per year, which is widely regarded as the international benchmark for any major ski resort," he added. "This strong foundation has given us the platform to attract and showcase the talent of the UAE through our sponsored athletes team."
Ski Dubai will be supporting the team with a number of experienced coaches who will be tasked with guiding the athletes over the coming years.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
 
Snow-tacular benefits
The team members will receive a host of benefits:
> Ski Dubai membership that provides unlimited access to the facilities
> Exclusive sessions with experienced coaches
> Equipment and sportswear from internationally-renowned athletics brands