Fatima Abdulhameed Al Ali is a 23 yr old who is the first Emirati female sports photographer and one of the key players of the Abu Dhabi Storms, the capital’s own ladies ice hockey team. Apart from ice hockey and photography, Fatima loves football, basketball and travelling. Tempo caught up with Fatima after the victory of Hong Kong Hockey 5’s Champions over defending champions WIHO Saints in the finals, to talk about the heady mix of photography and hockey.
When did your love for photography start and why sports photography?
When I was ten years old my mom got me my first camera. Mom also loved taking photos and I always borrowed her camera to take photos. In 2006 I bought my own digital camera and started taking photography courses. Then in 2007 I bought my first professional (SLR) camera and continued taking photography courses, and also giving courses, in my first year at Zayed University. I loved watching football and played sports almost every day in the neighborhood. That’s when I decided I wanted to combine my love for sport and photography.
How did your family react to you being a sport photographer?
When I first started my mom didn’t like the idea of me being around men taking photos but my dad was supportive. Soon after that my mom started to accept the idea after watching me on TV or coming with me to a game while I worked.
Who inspires you?
Actually nobody – I just wanted to take a do something totally different and hopefully become an inspiration for others.
Did you have any problems along the way?
Yes at the beginning it was difficult – it was really hard to get media passes as a freelancer, but later on I found some photographers that helped me to get passes for sport events.
What are your future plans?
I’d like to find a job in media or sports. I’d also like to improve my skills in ice hockey, and keep on photographing the UAE ice hockey teams.
How did you get into hockey?
I loved watching hockey movies since I was a kid, then in 2008 I heard there was a hockey tournament in Abu Dhabi. I was shocked and kept wondering how come we have ice hockey in UAE and yet nobody knew about it. So I went to watch the tournaments and started to take photos. That’s when one of the organizers called me and asked me whom I was taking photos for, and I told him it was for myself. Then he asked me to take photos for the team and since that time I’ve been doing that.
In September 2010 they started a ladies team but I didn’t join immediately because they were teaching them how to skate which I already knew how to do. But after the team went to Hong Kong in May 2011 for the first time, I asked the club for the hockey gear to start playing. I joined a camp to improve fast before they came back. I was ready to join the team when they did and have been playing hockey with them ever since.
How does it feel being a member of Abu Dhabi Storms ladies team?
I’m so happy and proud of my team because even though the Storms have only been around for three years, the team has improved so much and got to another level – imagine, we have already taken first place in the Bangkok Battle tournament and in the Hong Kong Hockey 5’s tournament!
Fatima can be reached on:
Facebook: Fatima Al Ali (falali7) Twitter: @FatimaAl_Ali Instagram: fatima_al_ali
In the final against Hong Kong side WIHO Saints, the Abu Dhabi Storms side won handsomely despite playing with injured goalkeeper Kamilla Nielsen and goals from Latifa Al Suwaidi, Fatima Al Ali, captain Fatima Al Qubaisi, Marie L. Henriksen and Dana Al Hosani.
by Asma Suhail Al Ameri
