This week was very tiring, since I got extremely ill while still trying to work.
But I still continued to work on features and other story ideas as I prepare to come to the end of my time on the Sport’s section of The National this week.
I have enjoyed my time here though I have found it challenging in many ways.
The highlight has been working at Arabian Gulf League games, writing stuff live for print with not much time to deadline, and then going to the mixed zone to get quotes for both live and follow-up stories.
The process got me all nervous at the beginning but obviously it does take time to get used to the process.
I have been consistently reminded during my time on sport of the importance of getting my facts straight and being tenacious about being updated with the news, mostly that is relevant to sports in the UAE.
I highly enjoyed sports as I have always mentioned about my passion of sports.
However, I may be a bit limited with other sports rather than just football but I want to specialise in football, but I know that if I am to succeed as a sports writer then I need to improve my knowledge of other sports in the future if I am to be successful.
The sports department took me out of my comfort zone by making me cover other sports and I have enjoyed it, most memorably when I covered the darts in May, which had a very unusual, but enjoyable, atmosphere.
All in all, I am very happy to have given this opportunity to showcase my voice, many people in the football industry were shocked yet happy to see an Emirati in the sports field.
My name was out there and that is enough for me.
I am now moving to the Features section after my holiday next month.
Moving to a different department can also be good as I can also try other things, though my passion belongs in sports, I cannot be stubborn not to try other departments.
Farewell to the best department I have worked with thus far, I will always appreciate my time for it and now I am also ready to join another department and I hope I do enjoy it as well.
malshamsi@thenational.ae
