International Modern Pentathlon Union delegates with National Olympic Committee officials.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Fares Al Mutawa, the Secretary General of the UAE National Olympic Committee, received Klaus Schormann, President of the International Modern Pentathlon Union, during his visit to the committee headquarters in Dubai.

The meeting aimed to explore avenues for bolstering collaboration and activating partnerships to elevate the performance of athletes in modern pentathlon, an Olympic sport since the Stockholm Games in 1912.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on various pertinent topics within the Olympic realm, notably the upcoming summer Olympic Games scheduled in Paris. It was revealed that the modern pentathlon event would feature a participation level equivalent to that of the Tokyo 2020 Games, with 72 athletes, divided equally between men and women.

Highlighting the significance of forging new connections to glean insights and leverage the experiences of international sports bodies, Mutawa emphasized the pivotal role such partnerships play in advancing the objectives of the Olympic movement. This aligns with the vision of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of the National Olympic Committee, to foster cooperative ties with all stakeholders in the Olympic and sports arena. The aim is to bolster the UAE's stature and showcase its accomplishments, particularly in hosting major sporting events, leveraging its extensive capabilities and top-tier infrastructure.

During the meeting, Mutawa received a comprehensive overview from the visiting dignitary, shedding light on the International Modern Pentathlon Union's key activities, events, programs, and initiatives. Notably, the UAE has successfully hosted several events under the purview of the Modern Pentathlon Federation, including the 2022 World Modern Pentathlon Championships encompassing shooting and running disciplines, as well as the "Global Laser Run" event held in September.

The latter saw participation from over 700 male and female athletes across various age groups, hailing from 15 different countries.

Attending the meeting were prominent figures including Qais Al Dhalai, President of the Rugby Federation and member of the National Olympic Committee Board of Directors, Dr Huda Al Matrooshi, President of the UAE Modern Pentathlon Federation, and Abdulaziz Al Salman, also a member of the National Olympic Committee Board of Directors, alongside the international federation delegation.