Versatile Nada on a comeback trail

NADA Zeidan, the Arab world’s iconic sportswoman, is on a comeback trail.

Nada, who has represented Qatar in archery at two Asian Games (2002 and 2006) and is also the first woman rally driver in the region having taken part even in the support category of World Rally Championship once apart from the Middle East Rally Championship many times, is planning to come back into active sports after becoming a mother last year.

A pioneer in women’s sports in the region, Nada said she had overcome many challenges as she emerged as a source of inspiration for many young girls across the Arab world wanting to take up sports.

“When I took up archery in 2000 and then rallying in 2004, there weren’t many girls taking up sports, not even as a form of recreation, let alone competitively,” said Nada.

“I proved that being a woman isn’t a hindrance to follow my dream and I’m happy to note that I’ve been able to inspire many girls in the Arab world to take up sports actively,” she added.

“Now I want to prove, like many other international stars, that motherhood is also not an obstacle to practise sports,” Nada told Doha Stadium Plus.

The mother of one-and-a-half-year old Ayoon said she had already met with Qatar Shooting and Archery Association President Ali Mohammed Al Kuwari and told him about her plans for a comeback.

“I met with the association president and expressed my desire to come back to archery. His response has been quite positive and I hope to hear from him soon,” she said.

Meanwhile, Nada launched her own website (www.nadazeidan.com), giving details about her career, achievements etc.