News

Abu Dhabi, November 4, 2024: The organizing committee of the Al Yassat Festival has announced the dates for the Al Yassat 60-foot dhow sailing race and the Qaffay 22-foot dhow sailing race, both scheduled as part of the second edition of the Al Yassat Festival for Traditional Marine Sports. The festival, hosted in Al Sila City in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, will see the Al Yassat race on Friday, November 8, followed by the Qaffay race on Saturday, November 9.

Organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, the festival runs from November 6 to 10 and includes numerous traditional maritime heritage activities, with prizes totaling around 6 million dirhams.

The club’s team responsible for organizing the races has completed all technical and logistical arrangements.

The festival program also includes various modern marine competitions, such as the Optimist and Laser sailing races, and stand-up paddleboarding races with a 1 km course for participants under 16 years and a 2 km course for those over 16.

Salem Al Rumaithi, General Manager of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, praised the wise leadership's commitment to supporting heritage activities, particularly in marine sports. He noted that the club's participation in organizing traditional races at the Al Yassat Festival aligns with its mission to preserve the UAE's maritime heritage and to encourage young people to embrace the challenges of these races, which embody the legacy of the ancestors and the courage to navigate the sea.

He added, "Traditional races held during these events carry the values of heritage and the essence of national identity." Al Rumaithi also commended the cooperation of dhow owners and captains in registering their vessels, which facilitated smooth processes, and praised the efforts of the team in completing all preparations to ensure the success of the races.