College of Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University (GMU), proudly celebrates Hamda Humaid Mohamed Saeed Al Ali, 2024PT01, a second-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy (II BPT) student, who officially qualified as a competitive endurance horse rider during the 2025/2026 season on 12 April 2026.
Endurance horse riding is one of the most physically and mentally demanding equestrian disciplines and is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the UAE. With races ranging from 40 to more than 160 kilometres, the sport challenges riders to demonstrate exceptional stamina, tactical judgment, mental resilience, and a strong bond with their horse.
Hamda’s achievement is particularly inspiring as she accomplished this milestone while continuing to meet the academic demands of a rigorous physiotherapy programme.
Key Highlights
- Official Qualification — 2025/2026 Season: Successfully completed the qualifying races required for competitive recognition on the UAE endurance circuit.
- Multi-Venue Participation: Competed at both Dubai Endurance Village and Abu Dhabi Endurance Village, two of the UAE’s prestigious endurance racing venues
- Academic Continuity: Maintained active enrolment and continued her academic progress throughout the demanding training and competition season.
- Faculty-Supported Balance: Successfully managed her academic and sporting commitments with the support and encouragement of the Department of Physiotherapy faculty.
Supporting the Whole Student
Hamda’s journey is a testament to what becomes possible when academic institutions genuinely invest in the full spectrum of student life. At the College of Health Sciences, GMU, we believe that extracurricular excellence and academic achievement are not in conflict — they enrich one another.
Our faculty and academic coordinators worked closely with Hamda to create a schedule that honoured both her studies and her sport. This is not an exception — it reflects our institutional philosophy: every student deserves the space and support to discover and pursue their full potential.
Health sciences students particularly field of Physiotherapy in particular benefit from high-level athletic involvement. The discipline of endurance sport — pacing, recovery, and mental resilience — translates directly into the mindset of an outstanding healthcare professional. Hamda’s physiotherapy training, in turn, gives her a sophisticated understanding of her own body’s performance and recovery needs.
Our Commitment to Student Balance
The College of Health Sciences, Gulf Medical University, is committed to fostering an environment where students can pursue their academic ambitions while developing their talents, interests, and aspirations beyond the classroom.
- Flexible Academic Planning: Our faculty work closely with students to accommodate high-commitment extracurricular pursuits while ensuring that academic standards and educational quality remain uncompromised.
- Holistic Student Development: We encourage the development of leadership, resilience, cultural identity, personal discipline, and physical excellence alongside academic rigour, helping students grow both personally and professionally.
- Faculty–Student Partnership: Through open communication, understanding, and continuous encouragement, we empower students to pursue their aspirations without having to choose between their passions and their education.
How Hamda Al Ali Qualified as a Competitive Endurance Rider While Excelling in Her BPT Studies
Reflecting on her journey, Hamda Humaid Mohamed Saeed Al Ali | II BPT, Department of Physiotherapy, College of Health Sciences, GMU shared: “Balancing my studies with endurance training was challenging, but I am truly grateful to my professors for their understanding, flexibility, and continued support. Their encouragement gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion while successfully managing my academic responsibilities.”
Celebrating Excellence
College of Health Sciences extends its heartfelt congratulations to Hamda Al Ali on this outstanding achievement and wishes her continued success in both her physiotherapy journey and on the endurance track, while expressing sincere appreciation to the dedicated faculty and academic coordinators of the Department of Physiotherapy whose guidance, flexibility, and encouragement helped make this remarkable balance possible.
Dr. Praveen Kumar, Dean ,College of Health Sciences (CoHS), proudly stated, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Hamda Al Ali on her remarkable achievement, which reflects her dedication, discipline, and determination to excel both academically and beyond the classroom. Her journey is an inspiring example of how passion, perseverance, and the right support can empower students to pursue their aspirations while maintaining academic excellence. I also extend my sincere appreciation to the dedicated faculty and academic coordinators of the Department of Physiotherapy for their guidance, flexibility, and unwavering support in helping Hamda successfully balance her academic commitments with her sporting aspirations.”
