Kampar, Malaysia, July 10, 2024: It did not take long for Qatari schoolboy Sultan Yousef Laram to grab the limelight at the OCA World Triathlon/Asian Triathlon Youth Development Camp.
Laram, 14, was picked by World Triathlon as the "Voice" of the camp for his candour and inquisitive nature on the opening day of eight-day residential camp in Kampar.
“Sultan will be the ambassador for the athletes,” revealed Firas Al-Hmood, World Triathlon development administration coordinator. “He was picked because he impressed my boss by his outspoken attitude during the recent online meeting for this camp.”
A few weeks ago, all 73 participants – 48 athletes and 25 coaches – from 25 National Olympic Committees got together for a break-the-ice ZOOM meeting. At this meeting, Laram stood out by asking a number of questions.
“I guess I must have made an impression,” said Laram after being awarded a World Triathlon cap on Wednesday. “I’m delighted and very proud to be an ambassador for all the athletes at this camp.”
The Doha schoolboy is a new convert to triathlon, having taken it up 10 months ago. “I knew how to swim and cycle and, when I started running more, I decided to take up this sport. My best discipline is cycling, however.”
Laram represented Qatar in cycling at the 1st GCC Youth Games held in the United Arab Emirates in April, but now harbours high hopes of once again flying the Qatari flag at international level in triathlon.