Saud Bin Sultan Al Qasimi shares Kilimanjaro adventure

SHARJAH: After recently conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, Sheikh Saud Bin Sultan Al Qasimi has shared his fascinating experience with young members of Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah (SYL).   

In a thrilling conversation, the mountaineer shared how extensive training, strong determination and athleticism combined with his passion for climbing developed since his childhood helped him scale the enormous mountain that stands 5,895 metres above sea level.

SYL hosted the young Emirati champion in a bid to inspire its members through real-life achievements of local role models, stress on the importance of developing a fighting spirit, and encourage them to pursue sporting activities.

This interaction is crucial especially for those SYL members who are currently training for their Mount Kilimanjaro expedition coming up in August, to mark UAE Women’s Day. Sheikh Saud told them about the specific challenges he faced – notably oxygen pressure due to high altitude, diverse terrain including forests, apart from flat, gravel and slippery surfaces, which gave the future climbers key insights into what to expect during their climb.  

The talk is part of SYL’s ‘Story of an Adventure’ programme, which periodically hosts adventurous athletes and mountaineers who share important lessons on climbing and sports.  

Speaking to 20 SYL members, Sheikh Saud also recounted the great challenges that were thrown at him during his climb of the volcanic Mount Rinjani in Indonesia, in 2016, which he mostly faced due to lack of adequate preparation.

However, this debut mountain climb that he was successful at, taught him the importance of full preparations – be it physical or mental.

Sheikha Aisha Khalid Al Qassimi, Director of SYL, commented: “A team of our young members are currently undergoing rigorous physical and mental training, during which they are touring and camping extensively at various sites across the UAE. With a three-day camping trip to Jebel Jais Mountains included, SYL’s ‘Story of an Adventure’ programme is well on its way preparing our girls for their upcoming Tanzanian adventure.”

Last year, a group of SYL members successfully summited Mount Toubkal in Morocco. Among the climbers was 13-year-old Asma Al-Qaidi – the youngest Emirati female to have registered the feat. Sajaya Young Ladies (SYL) of Sharjah, a subsidiary of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, is hosting a spring programme for 570 girls from its various centres in Sharjah, till April 11.

The programme aims to offer participants the opportunity to make the most of their spring break to develop their skills and creativity through a mosaic of six programmes based on themes of tourism, agriculture, arts, music, barista skills and sports. Sajaya has collaborated with Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), Fujairah Fine Arts Academy and Sharjah Arts Foundation, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park and Karam Cafe to organise this programme.

Sheikha Aisha Khalid Al Qasimi, Director of SYL, said: “Our aim is to ensure that the programme’s participants can put their spring break to good use. The idea behind introducing a multidimensional activity agenda is to appeal to their varied interests, and help them pick up different skills – creative, physical and analytical, and offer them a platform to connect with peers, explore together and share ideas and interests.”    

In collaboration with SCTDA, Sajaya Young Ladies is organising a tourist guiding and photography training programme, which will include field trips to Sharjah’s landmarks to allow the participants to explore the beauty of prominent

The field trip includes a visit to Al Bait Hotel and a meeting with Naima Al Shehhi, Tourism Blogger and Content Writer, a tour at Sharjah Arts Foundation (SAF), Rain Room, Al Noor Island, a visit to the Heart of Sharjah with the photographer Ola Al Luz and a visit to Sharjah Center for Astronomy and Space Sciences.

The programme will feature the “Plant a Tree” event, and educational and fun-filled workshops to introduce girls to the latest innovations in agriculture. During this programme, participants will be taught the art of making barista-quality coffee at select cafes in the UAE, giving participants a true taste of professional coffee making.

Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah is dedicated to developing the talents of girls aged 13-18 years in all creative spheres. Established in 2004 under the umbrella of Sharjah Children’s Centres, Sajaya became an independent entity in 2012 following an administrative decision by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and Chairperson of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation.