sport,leisure and society

1. 1
Oral History project
Name: Ahmed Aljefri H00281007
Section: CZ1
Course: sport, leisure and society

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Contents
Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 4
Background to the project............................................................................................................... 5
Research.......................................................................................................................................... 5
Interview ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 8
References....................................................................................................................................... 8
Appendix......................................................................................................................................... 9
Appendix A..................................................................................................................................... 9
Appendix B ................................................................................................................................... 10

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Abstract
In this report, we have mainly discussed the oral history. That means the subject matter of this
paper is an oral history. It has been mainly talked about the interview that was conducted
between me and my uncle. The subject matter of our discussion was how leisure and sports are
now a day different than the leisure and sports in the past time in UAE. And by today’s sport and
leisure, how UAE society is generally influenced. More clearly, how society is affected by the
present sports and leisure.
Keywords: leisure, sport, oral history and society

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Introduction
It goes without saying that now a day, the sports and leisure in UAE is not similar to the sports
and leisure that was in the past time. In every aspect of sports, we observed today is somewhat
different than before. Because of changing the socio-economic and cultural condition around the
world, the socio-economic and cultural changed has also appeared in UAE. So in the countryside
of UAE we see that leisure and sports have been changed in UAE compare to its past history of
sport and leisure. If we closely look into the countries overall condition then we will able to
observe that because of that changed society has also been affected.
In our report, first of all, we will try to discuss the issue of oral history. For doing that, we will
show the definition and interrelated issue of oral history like how the oral history is very
important part in UAE. After that, we will discuss the issue about an interview that has taken
place between my uncle and me. And last of all we will discuss the main findings of our report.

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Background to the project
The oral history discussed the historical information with the practical knowledge and
experience of any parson about the past historical events.. It is very essential for rising up any
country’s history more especially it is very important for UAE to keep up the culture and social
tradition of UAE for the next generation. I have taken interviewed from my uncle to know the
past historical information about the sports and leisure of UAE. I have taken interview from my
uncle because he has more knowledge about the past historical information on the leisure and
sports issues.
Research
My uncle’s name is Mohammed. He was born in the January 1956 and he is now 60 years old.
So before UAE union, he was born. Because of my uncle’s professional engagement on sport, he
has acquired in-depth knowledge and experience in this whole lifetime. Now he has been retired
but in a word he is a store of knowledge about this issue. In his own eyes, he had observed the
changes that had taken place in UAE in that time. In his whole professional life, he has taken a
great role in various governmental sport and policy making a project and he had also directed
engaged in this types of issues. In his life, he has become the father of 4 children.

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Interview
As a part of the interview we have mainly take each other about various topics. First of all, I
have asked my uncle, Mohammed, about the main difference between the past and the present of
the leisure and sports in the UAE. He mentioned about the various positive improvement in our
country in this section. He has also talked about some negative aspects of this issue that means
he has seen some positive aspect and some negative aspect in our society.
Most of the people of UAE now a day will argue that in UAE the sport has been improved much
better than others Arabian countries. My uncle also argues in favor on this issue. He told that
before 30 years there only few playgrounds existed in UAE but now a day along with city area
we have found large playground even in the local area. And the UAE’s achievement in
international sport’s platform we can easily say that UAE has much improved in the sport than
before. (uaeinteract, 2007)
I have also asked few questions about the issue of UAE football and its clubs. He told me that
UAE league is now a day performing better than before. Even that was not enough football
leagues before last two decades, but now we found its popularity around the country. Now many
new stadiums have been made for all these clubs and it has included many new facilities and
very highly train international coaches. (interect, 2007) My uncle has also mentioned about the
negative side, he has the issue of the salary of players, their backwardness in education. He has
talked that many students without completing their graduation entry into the playing field and

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they only complete their high school education. It is obviously a negative aspect than before.
Another negative one is that now a day an average to good players got more salary than a doctor
and engineer. My uncle told that now a day Omar Abdullrahman who is an Alain club’s
footballer gets more than 13 million every year. Compare to the present job it is really the very
huge amount of money. Although an engineer in UAE gets on an average 2 million in every
year. For the doctor, it is a little different. So by observing the real scenario we can say that now
a day the parents will motivate their kids to be a player, not a graduate. It is really a great threat
to the overall education system of UAE. (Potts, 2002)
I have asked about the today’s community member. He has told me that now a day the
community members are very creative and much happier compare to the old community
member. He told me that before last two decades the community member was very poor and not
so happy. Now they have improved them-self much. Their physical condition was very good but
now a day the physical condition of all people especially for kids are very worse because they
have habited with junk food that hampers their good health. (UAEINTERECT, 2003)

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Conclusion
To sum up, we can say that oral history is very important because it gives us the ways to learn
about the past history and can identify and compare the changed in the present situation with the
past event. As in our case we have found that in the past time in UAE, the sports was not as so
popular and developed as today we see. There has also a large improvement occurs in the case of
football. Along with some positive change, we have also found many negative changed have
occurred in the present situation.
References
interect, U. (2007). HISTORY & TRADITIONS. Retrieved June 21, 2016, from UNITED ARAB
EMIRATES YEARBOOK 2007:
http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf_2007/English_2007/eyb3.pdf
Potts, D. T. (2002). Before the Emirates:an Archaeological and Historical Account. Retrieved
June 21, 2016, from https://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/02.pdf
uaeinteract. (2007). SPORTS & LEISURE. Retrieved June 21, 2016, from
https://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf_2008/English_2008/eyb10.pdf
UAEINTERECT. (2003). Sport and leisure. Retrieved June 21, 2016, from
https://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf_2003/English/Sports_&_Leisure.pdf

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Appendix
Appendix A
RESEARCH CONSENT FORM
I understand that:
 that I am not required to participate in this research project and that I may
cease my participation at any time.
 any information which I give will be used solely for the purposes of this
research project.
 all information I give will be treated as confidential.
Name of Participant: Mohammed Ali
Signature of Participant: Mohammed Ali
Date: 21-06-2016
If you have any concerns about the project that you would like to discuss, please
contact me at:
H00281007@hct.ac.ae
Or, you may contact the course instructor:
Mr. Mark Vevers
Instructor
Abu Dhabi Men’s College
Higher Colleges of Technology
Abu Dhabi
UAE
mvevers@hct.ac.ae

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Appendix B
PEER AGREEMENT FORM
This is to confirm that:
 I Muhsen Alhashimi H00281040 have listened to the audio recording of
Mohammed Ali interview with Ahmed Aljefri (interview which was carried out
on 21-06-2016 at 11:00 as part of his LSS 3003 Sports, Leisure and Society
course.
 I have also read the report based on the interview and confirm that the report
is a fair representation of the interview.
Signature: Muhsen Alhashimi
Date: 21-06-2016
Email contact: H00281040@hct.ac.ae