by sportswriter Zhang Rongfeng

    DOHA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Qatar's first rhythmic gymnast Alla AlSaadi performed two exhibition routines and hoped to have a bright future in the sport at the Doha Asian Games here on Saturday.

    Al Saadi, who began the sport of rhythmic gymnastics only four years ago, has yet to compete. On Saturday afternoon, she showed promising flexibility, expression and skill development during her ball and rope exhibition routines.

    Al Saadi, 14, is not old enough to compete in Doha 2006 and is aware that even if she could compete she would not challenge for medals. She sees the Games as a chance to practise and to watch several leading rhythmic gymnasts go through their paces.

    "I expected to get more experience from the performance," said Al Saadi, who was pleased with her best apparatus, the rope, during the first session of the women's team final.

    "I have performed three times already, at the Gymnastiad in Athens, the Aspire Challenge in Qatar and now the Asian Games. I hope to compete in the very near future."

    Al Saad said it is exciting to be Qatar's first gymnast and that she is looking forward to developing the sport in Qatar after the Games.

    "Qater is slowly catching up to the world in rhythmic gymnastics," said Al Saadi. "I feels good to be the first Qatari gymnast and I am still young and training very hard to perform well in the future."

    Al Saadi hopes to stay involved in rhythmic gymnastics for a long time and is already dreaming of her next role in the sport. "I want to be a professional judge in the future," said Al Saadi.

    If the positive reaction from the crowd at the stadium is any indication, the popularity of rhythmic gymnastics should continue to increase in Qatar.