Abtal

By: The National News
  • Summary

  • Conversations with Arab athletes on their journeys to the Paris 2024 Olympics
    Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
    Show more Show less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • Egypt's Maha Amer on historic achievements and overcoming toxic environments
    Jun 24 2024
    In the last episode of the Abtal podcast series, host Reem Abulleil sits down with Egyptian diver Maha Amer as she prepares for her second Olympic Games this summer in Paris. Amer shares her inspiring journey, from making history as the first Egyptian to win a medal in diving at the World Championships to balancing her academic pursuits with her athletic career. At just 25 years old, Amer holds two undergraduate degrees in economics and public health, and has completed two master's degrees in international business and biomedical sciences. She opens up about the challenges she has faced throughout her diving career, including the toxic environment often created by coaches and the psychological and mental toll it took on her. Amer offers valuable insights into how she overcame these struggles, finding support and comfort in her college teammates, and using her education to help others. She also discusses the positive aspects of diving, her hopes and dreams both in and out of the pool, and her mindset heading into Paris after missing out on Olympic qualification for Tokyo 2020. After this episode, the Abtal podcast comes to an end. All 11 episodes have provided unique insights into the lives of some of the Arab region's top athletes. You can listen to all of the episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcasting platforms, or watch the full interviews on The National's YouTube channel.
    Show more Show less
    56 mins
  • Morocco’s Ines Laklalech on her meteoric rise in professional golf
    Jun 17 2024
    In this episode of the Abtal podcast, host Reem Abulleil is joined by Moroccan golfer Ines Laklalech, who is on the brink of securing her place at her first Olympic Games this summer. Laklalech has made history as the first Moroccan, North African or Arab woman to win a tournament on the Ladies European Tour, a remarkable achievement she accomplished at the Lacoste Ladies Open in Deauville during her rookie season in 2022. Following this victory, Laklalech secured her card for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), marking another milestone as the first Moroccan, North African or Arab golfer to do so. In this conversation, she shares her Olympic dreams, the story of how she started playing golf and the reasons behind her three-year hiatus from the sport, during which she completed her undergraduate degree. Laklalech also talks about what brought her back to the golf course, her rapid ascent from amateur to professional title winner, and the emotional highs and lows she experiences during nearly every tournament. You can listen to all previous episodes of Abtal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcasting platforms, or watch the full interviews on The National's YouTube channel.
    Show more Show less
    51 mins
  • Lebanese trap shooter Ray Bassil on what it takes to make it to four Olympic Games
    Jun 10 2024

    The Abtal podcast is back with a fresh batch of exciting episodes, featuring three incredible Arab athletes who are on their way to the Olympics.

    In this episode, host Reem Abulleil is joined by Lebanese trap shooter Ray Bassil, who is gearing up for her fourth consecutive Olympic Games this summer.

    Bassil, a reigning Asian champion and former world number one, has had an illustrious 20-year career in shooting, boasting numerous World Cup and Asian Championship victories.

    She was the flag-bearer for her country at the Tokyo 2020 Games and is currently on a quest to become her country's first Olympic medallist since 1980 and the first Lebanese woman to reach the Olympic podium.

    In this wide-ranging conversation, 35-year-old Bassil delves into the complexities of shooting, her journey over the past two decades, the sources of her motivation, and the significance of bearing the aspirations of a nation.

    You can listen to all previous episodes of Abtal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcasting platforms, or watch the full interviews on The National's YouTube channel.

    Show more Show less
    38 mins

What listeners say about Abtal

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.