The United Arab Emirates has lost one of its most prominent sports figures. Osama Ahmed Al Shafer passed away on Wednesday following an accident that occurred abroad. His death marks the end of the career of one of the most influential Emirati sports personalities who left a profound impact in every field he worked in. Al Shafer was known for his love of sports and creativity, where he combined his passion for sports with an innovative spirit, building a career that spanned over five decades during which he dedicated his efforts to developing local and international sports sectors, embodying an Emirati approach based on leadership and continuous modernization. He was born in Dubai on December 25, 1974, and began his journey in sports through a series of influential positions; he served as Vice President of the UAE Bodybuilding Federation from 2005 to 2008 before taking over as President from 2008 to 2012. Throughout his prolific career, Al Shafer garnered numerous awards and recognitions; most notably, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktum Creative Sports Award in 2018, the Sports Achievement Award for seven consecutive years between 2006 and 2012, in addition to the Gold Medal from the International Federation of Bodybuilding in 2009. His career was not limited to sports, as he was also a member of the Federal National Council representing the Emirate of Dubai since November 11, 2019, and he received an honorary doctorate in 2017 from the College of Physical Culture and Sports in the Republic of Uzbekistan. On the international stage, Al Shafer made a significant impact by assuming the presidency of the International Cycling Union in 2017, as well as his presidency of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and the Asian Bodybuilding Federation during the years 2007 to 2011, in addition to his membership on the board of directors of the "Olympic Council of Asia".
