67-year-old singer has done deep dive, 10km Dubai Run, skydiving, horse riding, and more
Dubai: “Assalamu Alaikum, do I have permission to sing ‘Ishy Bilady,’ your national anthem, here publicly?” an elderly woman visiting the ongoing Dubai Games asked an Emirati man.
He replied warmly: “Feel free, this is as much your country as it is mine.”
As she began her passionate, high-pitched rendition of the anthem, it quickly became apparent that she was no ordinary singer. She was Haydee Dabusti, a 67-year-old Argentina-born Italian opera singer, who has been attending the Games since their inception in 2018.
“I love sports. It’s important for my career, my body, and my gums,” the lyrical singer told Gulf News.
“I can sing in seven languages: Italian, English, Arabic, Spanish, French, German, and Latin.”
She first visited Dubai in 2016 as a tourist and has been returning frequently ever since.
“I love Dubai. The moment I landed, I fell in love with this place, the culture, and the people.”
An adventure lover, Dabusti has taken part in vibrant physical activities that Dubai offers.
“I went to a depth of 12 meters at Deep Dive Dubai, sang the anthem while skydiving, and participated in the Dubai Fitness Challenge. In my first year, I ran 5km, and in 2023 and 2024, I completed 10km. I also love horse riding.”
Asked how she manages to do such feats in her 60s, she noted: “Like His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum says: ‘Nothing is impossible.’ I believe that.”
‘Spirit of Dubai’
It took her more than a month of practice to learn ‘Ishy Bilady.’
“I’m a lyrical singer, such as soprano, tenor, baritone, and basso. I study all the time. I took about a month and 13 days to memorise and perfect the pronunciation of your national anthem. It was difficult, but it is such a beautiful song.”
However, this wasn’t the first time Dabusti had performed the national anthem. She previously sang it at Expo 2020 Dubai during an event at the Argentinian pavilion.
“I am trying to do this with humility, simplicity, and utmost responsibility,” said Dabusti, who admires Dubai’s leaders and spoke highly of the government’s focus on education, culture, and sports. She has been attending the Dubai Games since 2018.
“Dubai Games is important. It reflects the spirit of Dubai.”
Although Dabusti lives alone in Italy after the passing of her husband and parents, she feels incredibly supported by the people around her.
“I have no children, but God has surrounded me with good people. I have lots of friends here in Dubai,” she said, recalling a fun moment when she surprised an Emirates pilot by singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him during a flight. “The staff on-board requested it, and I obliged,” added Dabusti.