Schoolgirl Shouhdy takes it all in her stride

DOHA, Dec 6 (Reuters) There cannot be many Asian Games athletes who are having to learn the rules of their sport while competing in Doha, but then there are not many athletes like Alaa Shouhdy.

The 10-year-old schoolgirl is representing Qatar in the Optimist class of sailing and cuts a cool figure at Doha Sailing Club.

''I can't believe I am racing with good people and I'm doing very fine,'' she smiled. ''These people are training for three years and I'm only doing one-and-a-half months (in the sport).'' She is not remotely fazed that there may be rules of the sport she is unfamiliar with.

''I just see what we are going to do. If I don't know, I follow the rest,'' she said.

The schoolgirl comes from a family of sailors -- her father Amro is representing Qatar in another sailing event -- and has the full support of her parents.

''She (mother) thinks I'm very good for what I have learnt in one-and-a-half months. I'm a thinker, I'm very good at mathematics,'' the youngster said.

''They are very happy for their thinker daughter.'' Shouhdy finished ninth in her first race.

''This was the first race I ever did,'' she explained. ''I've raced with my father but not with a start or finish line. That is the only race I have had.'' Reuters PDS DB2124