OUR WORLD CLASS
COACHES
BRITISH ATHLETICS ACCREDITED & LICENCED
INSPIRE A GENERATION
"At our core, we believe that exceptional coaching is evident in the results it delivers. That's why we refuse to cut corners. Our team includes both UAE-based coaches and visiting UK-based specialists who come to the UAE for targeted events."
MATT LEE
Head of Development
A former decathlete, Matt has represented both Great Britain & England at an international level.
Matt, a UKA accredited athletics coach graduated from Brunel University in 2017 and has an extensive background in track & field athletics coaching, with over 10 years of experience working with some of the top British juniors at a national championship level.
He also spearheaded, and was the lead team manager for the first ever UAE Expat team to compete at the English Schools Champs 2024.
KATE ANSON
High Jump Specialist Coach & Operations Lead
A professional high jumper representing her country on the world stage. A two time British Championship medalist and consecutively ranked as one of the best high jumpers in the UK & Europe.
As well as being a UKA accredited athletics coach, Kate is a language enthusiast, with an MA in teaching, & BA Hons in French and Spanish from the University of Manchester. Kate speaks English, French, Spanish, Russian, and a little German
TOMMY RAMDHAN
Head of Performance Pathway
A professional sprinter representing Team GB on a global stage; Tommy is a double European champion, winning the Junior 200m gold in 2015, and backing this up with a senior European gold in 2022 as part of the Great Britain relay team.
Tommy is the director of AIS Performance, a programme set up for speed development across different sports. He is a British Athletics accredited & licensed coach, with a Sports Leaders UK Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership.
RANIA KARBICH
Coach & Social Media Executive
Rania, a Moroccan 400m & 400m hurdles International athlete, is a six time national champion, an former record national holder in the 400m hurdles. She has also represented Morocco at an African level as a finalist at the Arabic Championships.
Off the track, Rania has a BA in Economics, and a Masters in Sport Management. As Head of Youth Development at AIS her fundamental rolls include nurturing & inspring young talented athletes within the region. In her spare time Rania is also a lead coach for Adidas.
MOHAMMED SINAN
Coach & Competitions Lead
A UAE and Indian national 400m and 200m athlete competing at an international level. Sinan is a six time UAE 400m national champion, an an all Indian 400m national championship finalist.
Sinan was voted the UAE Athletics Federation Athlete of the Year 2021-2022. He was also given The Best Athlete of Al Hamariya Sports Club award 2023-2024.
With a computer engineering degree from Middlesex University, Sinan is also the head of Technical Operations at AIS Athletics, and the current AIS Bowling Champion 2024.
ANDRIS GONZALEZ NOBAL
Multi Events Coach
Our Cuban Multi Events Specialist. With a Doctorate (PHD) in Physical Culture and Sports Sciences, with nearly 20 years of experience as a professor, coach, and physical trainer. He has developed his career at the University of Granma and the School of Sports Initiation (EIDE) of Granma, Cuba, combining academic teaching with the development of athletes who have won numerous national medals.
A specialist in Paralympic athletics, he contributed to the physical preparation of an athlete who earned the bronze medal in discus throw, F-56 category, at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. His scientific publications focus on strength and conditioning for athletes with disabilities, building a profile that integrates research, high performance, and sports education.
ANOUAR LAMRABAT
Middle and Long Distance Specialist
Anouar is a professional middle-distance athlete and athletics coach with a diploma in track and field.
As an athlete, he has gained strong competitive experience and continues to train with discipline and focus in the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m events.
With over 10 years of coaching experience, combined with his academic background in athletics and practical expertise on the track,
Anouar brings a professional and structured approach to coaching.
He has built strong athletes and individuals through his work with Abu Dhabi clubs, academies, and international athletics programs, inspiring and guiding athletes of all levels to reach their full potential.
He has also developed athletes who progressed to compete at the national team level.
NIRLOK TAMANG
Sprints Coach
Nirlok is a 100/200m sprinter and coach with international experience across the U.S., U.A.E., and beyond. A former Division I and III collegiate athlete in America, he continues to compete at the professional level while currently training to earn a spot on the Reliance team in India.
Alongside his athletic career, Nirlok holds a double major in Marketing and International Relations with a minor in Kinesiology, and he is pursuing a master's in business law. His coaching background includes leading youth programs in Dubai and the U.S., where he emphasized technical development, discipline, and resilience. Nirlok’s philosophy is rooted in continuous growth and fostering a positive, high-performance environment where athletes can unlock their full potential both on and off the track.
DAMIEN PIENAAR
Multi-Events & Sprints Coach
Originally from South Africa, Damien gained his BTEC National Diploma in Sports & Business from GEMS Wellington Silicon Oasis and is also a Level 3 certified personal trainer. Having competed internationally in both Dubai and the UK, he coaches multi-events, with a particular passion for the 100m sprint which he holds a PB of 10.88.
My focus is on helping athletes improve speed, strength, and technique while also developing the discipline and mindset needed to perform at their best.
"For me, athletics is about more than just results—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and character. My aim is to guide athletes of all levels to reach their full potential, both on the track and in life."
TANYA SULLIVAN
Member Happiness Executive
The engine room of our operation, Tanya first became involved with AIS as a parent volunteer in 2018, helping with competitions, taking photos and generally providing support where needed.
Her organisational skills and understanding of parent concerns led to the creation of this role which handles everything from club administration, to kit, to registrations and ensuring that our members expectations are consitently met and exceeded.
UMAR HAMEED
Founder of AIS Athletics
A proud University of Leeds alumnus, graduating with an MSC International Business & BA Business with Hons; Umar founded AIS Athletics in 2012 post London Olympics. In 2018 he successfully launched a branch of the academy in Dubai.
Umar is also a former international sprinter having represented Pakistan for over a decade; winning a silver medal at the Asian Games 2016, and competing at multiple global events such as the World Indoor Championships in 2018 and 2022.
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