SANYA, April 28 (Xinhua) — After adjusting their sails, brothers Thani and Tameem Shams pushed their boats into the water and waved to the volunteers on shore.
“Tameem, trust yourself. You can make it,” elder brother Thani called as the younger boy headed out.
“You too, my brother, good luck,” Tameem replied.
The Qatari siblings have encouraged each other before every race since arriving in Sanya. At the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya in south China’s Hainan Province, the two competed side by side in different classes, united by the same sailing dream.
“It’s my first time competing in China, and I’ve learned a lot about reading the wind and currents here,” said 12-year-old Tameem, who finished 16th in the boys’ Optimist (OP) event for athletes under 16.
Their coach, Khalid Bettihthamou, explained that the OP boat, about 2.3 meters long and weighing around 35 kilograms, has a small hull and simple structure and “can be controlled without too much strength.”
“The Optimist naturally opens its doors to young children,” Khalid said, noting that it is widely known as the cradle of Olympic sailing champions.
Tameem said both brothers fell in love with sailing under the influence of their father. “He loves sailing, and we’ve been inspired by that since we were little,” he said.
In the Optimist class, young sailors must rig their own masts and launch their boats unaided. “It’s a bit hard for me to push the boat because I’m not very big. But once I’m out on the water, I can sail steadily,” Tameem added with a grin.
Fourteen-year-old Thani, who competed in the boys’ ILCA4 class for athletes born in 2009 or later, finished 17th. The ILCA4 boat is slightly larger, with a sail area of about 4.7 square meters.
“I want to keep training and competing and become a professional sailor in the future,” Thani said.
The brothers have trained for two years, mainly off the coast of Doha. Khalid said Qatar, surrounded by the sea on three sides and enjoying year-round sunshine, offers ideal conditions for the sport.
“The country is dotted with water parks and marinas. In winter, the temperature can reach 26 degrees Celsius,” he said, adding that although sailing remains relatively niche in Qatar, the country’s natural conditions are well suited to its growth.
Sanya has also left a strong impression. “Sanya is a beautiful place, and the sea here is perfect for sailing,” said Tameem.
According to organizers, most competitions at the Games are being held along the 22-kilometer natural coastline of Sanya Bay. With clear waters and moderate winds, the bay is particularly well suited to sailing.
Watching the brothers head out one after the other, Khalid said he sees great potential in both. “They are very talented but still lack experience in big events. The Asian Beach Games provide a valuable platform for young athletes to pursue their dreams,” he said.
The sailing program at the Asian Beach Games included four classes – OP, ILCA4, foil windsurfing and Formula Kite – with eight events for men and women. All gold medals were decided on Tuesday.
IOC Honorary President for Life Thomas Bach said the growing participation of young people bodes well for the future of sailing. “It’s a very good development for sailing and for attracting new generations,” he said.
“At an early age, they can already perform well, and the sport does not place excessive demands on them, either physically or mentally. Instead, it allows for a very natural development in line with their nature,” Bach added. ■
