Ahmad Al Kamali (pictured), the newly elected president of the UAE Athletics Federation, is hoping that the country's companies will help him set up a fund to bankroll preparations for London.

 

He said: "We will go to schools and reach out to the nearly 400,000 children between age of 5 to 17.

 

"From among them we will pick 600 to 800 boys and provide training for six months.

 

"From among them we will choose the best 200 and train them for another six months.

 

"Thus after one year we will select the best 100 between the age of 12 and 16.

 

"These boys will turn 20 by the year 2012 and they will be our athletes for the 2012 Olympics."

 

The UAE has only ever won one Olympic medal - when Ahmed Al Maktoum claimed the gold in the double trap shooting at the Athens Games four years ago.

 

The country had only one representative in track and field in Athens, 800 metres runner Ali Mohammed Ali Al Balooshi, who finished last in his first round heat.

 

Al Kamali is hoping that the Government and private companies will help build a series of new facilities across the UAE to aid preparations.

 

The UAE, rich in oil and natural gas, has become highly prosperous after gaining foreign direct investment funding in the 1970s.

 

Al Kamali said: "We will need to raise millions and we are expecting leading companies to provide sponsorship support for our 'Focus 2012 plan'.

 

"We are left with 1400 days towards our target.

 

"We need to create indoor training facilities.

 

"Our country is hot and humid and the temperature in June, July and August is not good for outdoor training.

 

"Right now we are forced to take our athletes to Europe for training, and that is not easy.

 

"So we have already had a couple of meetings with the Dubai Sports Council and a few clubs on creating indoor facilities and a good track."