Alia Qali - Kuwait
ⓒJun-ki Hong
1. How did you first get involved in rowing?
In 2005 I was passing by Kuwait Sea Sport and saw some men playing rowing on the sea and asked the club manager if I can get involved and that how I started then I I had to go to the USA to complete my college degree and by that time Hitham was not my husband but the team supervisor and he advised to join the college team in long Beach, California and he bought for me on his own expenses a fillpie boat and a concept 2 ergo meter and after I graduated I donated the boat and the ergo meter to the university.
2. How old are you?
26 years old.
3. Living in Kuwait what did you know about rowing?
Rowing is not known much in Kuwait. There is only one club and at the same time the federation and not much people know about it since the Kuwaiti team doesn’t have world record or outstanding results.
4. Where is there to row in Kuwait? – what body of water?
We have only the Gulf Sea which opens water salty and sometimes we row once a week or twice a month depending on sea tides. We spend more time ergoing than rowing.
5. How many rowers are there in Kuwait? – are there any other female rowers?
There are 25 rowers including the juniors, female we myself and 3 juniors.
And throughout the Gulf between Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait, Kuwait is the only country that has female rowers.
6. How many rowing clubs are there in Kuwait?
We have one rowing club in Kuwait.
7. What is the local attitude to you being a rower?
Many people in Kuwait are surprised that there are rowers in Kuwait, although it is a sea country, but as a female rower it is a big deal first for women to play sport it is not common especially competitively, and rowing is a tough sports and water sport it is not encouraged for women to play it.
8. What is the biggest challenge for you as a rower?
The biggest challenge is not having calm water to row every day, and the fact that the society doesn’t accept women playing water sport in general. We are sad to spend our time ergoing more than rowing.
9. Where do you get support from to be a rower?
The biggest support is from my husband Hitham since he has experience in rowing over 28 years and he is the Chairman of the Development Committee in the Arabic International Federation.
10. Do you do/or have done other sports?
I was a long distance runner before I started rowing
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11. I understand that your husband is your coach. Did you meet through rowing or did one of you introduce it to the other? – what is your husband’s name?
Yes, we met through rowing which I consider the biggest blessing in my life having husband like Hitham.
12. Tell me about the Gulf Invasion by Iraq. I understand your husband had to save the rowing boats. What happened?
During the Gulf Invasion the enemy were in our club destroying everything and Hitham had to find a way to stop them and he offered them money, and it worked he took to his home 32 boats all types.
13. You now have a young daughter. How old is she?
She is now 4 months.
14. How much training were you able to do while you were pregnant?
I didn’t do any rowing during my pregnancy since my doctor told not to, I was able to swim only.
15. How soon after having your daughter were you able to start rowing again?
After two months from my delivery.
16. How do you feel about your fitness now compared to before you were pregnant?
My fitness was better before my pregnancy but now I have more strength and I think I will get to better fitness step by step.
17. How do you fit training into being a mother?
I organize my time, time for baby, time for the husband and time everything. And what helps a lot that I have my own interior design firm so I am not obligated to go to work on specific times.
18. What made you decide to try and qualify this year for the Olympics?
I want to see my level now to be able to put a four year plan for the next Olympics 2016 RIO, Brazil.
19. How long have you been in Chungju for?
It has been a week, we arrived on the 14th of April
20. Before this regatta, the Asian Olympic Qualification Regatta, what is the biggest or most important regatta that you have been in?
I haven’t been to a regatta after my pregnancy since I just got back on February and I attended only the camp in Spain Seville.
21. Is there anything that you would like to add?
I would like to thank Sheila so much, she is a big support for me in rowing and she keeps me updated with all the camps and all the opportunities that are available. Big CHEERS for Sheila and FISA.
