'aka' Odali
'aka' VIPer
Birthday: July 14th
Place of Birth: Abu Dhabi, UAE (Emirates)
Nationality: Emaraty (Emirates)
Current Location: Macclesfield, UK
Occupation: Aerospace Engineering
Career Highlights: Chess Champion of Abu Dhabi in 1996 --- UAE 27th Best Swimmer --- Bronze Swimming Medal in 1999
Credited For: Writing Articles --- Writing Entertainment Reviews --- Collecting Items of Interest
Black ---> Written by Same Mathews
Blue ---> As told by Odali and assembled into the text by Sam Mathews
Born and raised in Abu Dhabi (Capitol of the United Arab Emirates), Odali was raised in a noble and honorable family and was the first child to grace his wonderful parents. This being said, Odali got most of what he desired as long as such needs were within the limit. "I am lucky I am from the Emirates and I am lucky to have such parents" says Odali. Odali joined M.I.S (school) in Abu Dhabi and started a slow start in his studies. "I think I was the quietest dude in my class" says Odali. Odali stayed in M.I.S for the remainder or his school time to graduate with a IGCSE (British System) certificate with enough grades for him to join a university. At school Odali knew most the kids around but only had a couple of friends he can relate to. "I didn't have many friends at school, I remember only one true friend who I still know till this day and I am proud of him! Heh, we used to laugh so much that I became a professional in hiding my laughs so he (friend) used to get the blame from the teacher".
"I was kind of careless in my studies at school but thankfully I got an enough average grading to join a certain university". The host university was the University of Wollongong (an Australian university) that had a campus in Dubai. "I had to travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and stay in a flat there. However, I used to go back to Abu Dhabi every weekend". The once quiet kid was another man in his last year at school and when he joined the university as his reputation struck new limits. However, as his reputation and popularity significantly increased, his academic performance hit low grounds. Odali spent a year in uni before joining the UAE/ UK Project Team to pursue a new career. "I messed around a lot and I think it is time for the King to find his Throne. When I joined the UAE/ UK Project Team, I had aims to fulfill and my most important aim was to be the top dude around and I thank my God that I am that I am among the top guys now. I also wanted to be a group leader and I become one in my second year". Odali took an oath to not only improve in his studies but to become the dominant person in his field and he did not break his word on it as he is now considered a strong student, willing and praying to stay there. Odali also became a group leader in his second year (third acadamic year) and is currently enjoying the leadership position. "Being the youngest among my group and friends, I am very happy with the way they look at me with respect and honor not because I am a leader or friend, but because the mature behavior I thank God that I posses. I always suggested that an individual isn't measured by his age but by his experience a maturity".
From education to sports Odali had a quit successful career in some sports he practiced as he joined Al Jazeera swimming club in his childhood then transferred to Al Wihda swimming club to expand his career by entering multiple national tournaments and gaining a Bronze Medal sometime in the year 1999. Odali then advanced to join an Iron Man tournament held in Abu Dhabi Beach that involved more than one thousand capable swimmers of various nationalities in a half a kilometer into the sea marathon and was able to grab the 27th position. "Although it may not be spectacular, I am proud of what I have accomplished" says Odali.
Beside swimming, Odali practiced chess and became a veteran in that tactical game. Odali held a certificate that states him as the champion of 1996 National Chess Tournament in Abu Dhabi. Although Odali quit from the clubs hosting him to pursue his educational career, he still practices what he is good at occasionally and currently holds a record of not loosing a chess match from the year 2000 until this day. "I would like to take the opportunity to mention that my brother Mohammed is very good swimmer currently swimming for Al Wihda club in Abu Dhabi and I am proud to say that he exceeds my accomplishments were he has a big swimming reputation and considered one of the best in the nation plus he has more than thirty medals from gold to bronze".
Odali also proved that he can dominate the attraction field, even in his youth, when he gabbed the prize of the best dancer for the Cornish Hospital Club in 1992, "my mother works in Al-Cornish Hospital so she gains entrance to a club for children and I had my eye on the prize so I just went up there and danced like never before, hah. I do not do such things but one has got to do what one has got to do if you know what I'm saying".
Odali is the eldest in his immediate family that consists of two brothers and one sister. "A sister in any family is a big responsibility and I am proud of her and shall do my best for her success and happiness in her life" says Odali. Odali is currently the head of his HND group and here is his closing comments:
"When I was a child, I wanted to be a vet, and then I wanted to be a (humans) doctor as I was good in Science back in school. When I joined uni, my first semester was about Computer Science and transferred to Business administration in my second semester. After joining the UAE/ UK Project Team and studying in the UK, which I am currently doing, I settled to be an Aircraft Engineer. I am between a group of people I love and admire. I shall always be proud that I am the leader of, what is in my opinion, the best group in the Project Team history. I am prepared to give anything for these 9 individuals without exceptions. I am proud of all my friends without exceptions. I have friends from many parts of the world and I can assure everyone that every nation has its good and bad people. I believe that a man should be proud of what he accomplished and as much pride I have for my accomplishments and hopes for an ever brighter future, I wish my parents, brothers and my only sister and even more successful future. In the end, I would like to say yet better assure that the King of human Kings is back on his throne".
--- Written & assembled by Sam Mathews on 1st January 2006 ---