Al Maktoum takes aim at sports chiefs

The United Arab Emirates' only Olympic medallist has taken a shot at the country's sports bosses for wasting the legacy of his gold at the Athens Games.

Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, the Double Trap gold medallist in 2004, is furious at the country's shooting federation for doing nothing to help the UAE's marksmen to become future champions.

"After seven long years of hard work, I brought glory to my country in Athens and then they just threw the medal away," said Sheikh Ahmed, who has come out of retirement in a bid to retain his title at next month's Beijing Olympics.

"I thought (after Athens) life would change, the sport would change and people in charge would look at things in a more professional manner. Nothing like this has happened," he told reporters.

Sheikh Ahmed, a member of Dubai's ruling family, will take part in his first international competition since his Athens triumph when he takes aim in Beijing.

He said the UAE had pumped far too much money into soccer, with little success.