Tension! What’s that?
OER traces the favorite pastimes of Wael Ahmed Al Lawati, the acting CEO of The Wave project

Maiden appearances can be deceptive. Take the case of Wael Ahmed Al Lawati. Neither his handshake nor his looks give the hints of the steely nerves he possesses. The prestigious mega million project — The Wave of Muscat — that he is managing, brings with it huge responsibility and the inevitable tension. But nothing shows on his face. He disarms his friends and detractors with his “killer smile”. How does this acting Chief Executive Officer manage to hide his tensions?

“Tension? What’s that?” he quips. On realizing that the question is just a conversational gambit, Lawati loosens up a bit and talks eloquently about the inevitability of business and associated tension. For the first time, one is able to discern the seriousness he attaches to the concept of unwinding in the competitive world.

If Lawati is to be believed — you better do that! — reading is his hobby. A pastime, or “whatever you wish to call it”. Suddenly, it dawns upon him that it has been quite sometime that he has laid his hands on any book. He looks around sheepishly. “Where is the time to sit in a quiet corner and flip through the book? The office work eats into daily life as well,” he confesses.

Nevertheless, squash was his pastime. Once upon a time, he hastens to add. “It was a great stress buster and reliever. I developed an interest in squash 16 years ago when I was in college. I used to look upon squash for another reason as well... College days and rivalry with the peer group go together. I was no exception. Can I afford to hit my rivals? No way! That is where, I used to hit the wall with the same ferocity and take vicarious pleasure,” reveals Lawati.

A 30-minute daily workout at Malaton Club, now part of Hyatt, was his regular hangout for years, recollects the Wave acting CEO. Sweet memories of the friends he used to hang out with, sweep him off his feet as he walks down the memory lane. His tryst with squash continued until he left the Omani shores for higher studies.

For a while, like a typical Omani, he was fascinated by football. He used to play once a week. “The biggest problem was getting a critical mass to play football. Moreover, it becomes uncomfortable playing in summers. There was no fun,” says Lawati. Yet, he carried his love for football overseas. He used to play football five days a week. “Yes, five days a week,” he swears. “I was a great sport... Today, there is very little time for any serious play,” adds he.

In the midst of talking about his dalliance with snooker, Lawati breaks off on a tangent to describe the aggressively fought football games at home and abroad. Lawati’s love affair with football came to an end when he broke his ankle. What a pity! “On court, we fight like ferocious animals. Off court, we are just friends. If you watch me on court those days, you would have seen a different personality,” boasts Lawati. Before breaking his ankle, at the Sussex University, he tried to dabble in indoor football for a short while.

It is understandable that his corporate life hardly leaves time for anything else. Does it mean he has no time for any pastime these days? “Not advisable,” he chuckles. “Now, I have taken up walking on the beach. But walking abroad is more fun. There is no infrastructure in Oman. The city is meant for automotives. Not meant for pedestrians! There are sewers on the road and pathways,” Lawati rues.

So, what is Lawati’s walking strategy? Does he walk the talk? “Cent percent”, he hastens to add. Walking on the beach in Muscat is the best option — twice a week for a stretch of 5 km. What is the inspiration? His wife, he admits. She walks almost daily. Lawati does not have that luxury. “I wish I could,” he adds.

So what would the goal be if he were to be granted that luxury? “Forget about getting relieved of the tension. I can think and walk. Moreover, I will be able to tuck in my bulging tummy,” he says even while his palm tries to pat the invisible torso.

Ramesh Kumar