News

Al Sila’a, UAE – November 8, 2025: Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Modern Sailing and Rowing Federation, crowned the winners of the Sila’a 43-foot traditional dhow sailing race, held as part of the fifth edition of the Sila’a Marine Festival. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority; Nasser Al Mansoori, Undersecretary of the Office of the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region; and Dr. Mohammed Saif Al Kaabi, Board Member of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club.

The festival is taking place along the waterfront of Sila’a city in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, in strategic partnership with the Emirates Council for Balanced Development, and continues until November 16.

The awarding ceremony was also attended by Mohammed Khalifa Al Kaabi, Secretary-General of the Emirates Council for Balanced Development; Rashid bin Lahij Al Mansouri, Director General of Abu Dhabi Customs; Brigadier Hamdan Saif Al Mansoori, Director of the Al Dhafra Police Directorate; Saeed Rashid Al Zaabi, Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Presidential Court for Development Affairs and Martyrs’ Families; Obaid Khalfan Al Mazrouei, Executive Director of the Festivals and Cultural Programs Sector at the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority; and Mohammed Juma Al Mansouri, Executive Director of the Support Services Sector at the Authority.

The race results saw dhow “Nimran” (No. 259), owned by Abdullah Mohammed Juma Al Marzouqi, claim first place, followed by “Al Dhafra” (No. 87), owned by Marwan Abdullah Mohammed Al Marzouqi, in second place, while “Hasheem” (No. 153), owned by Hassan Abdullah Mohammed Al Marzouqi, secured third place.

The 15-nautical-mile race featured 80 traditional dhows and 960 sailors from across the UAE. The Organizing Committee allocated more than AED 3 million in prize money for the winners and participants. The first-place winner received AED 210,000, second place AED 170,000, and third place AED 150,000.

Following the awards ceremony, Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, accompanied by H.E. Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Nasser Al Mansoori, and senior officials from the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the Emirates Council for Balanced Development, the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, and Abu Dhabi Customs, toured the festival grounds.

The tour included government pavilions, as well as various maritime, heritage, and artistic activity zones, in addition to the traditional market, where they viewed local handcrafted products. The tour also included the traditional crafts corner and children’s art activities area.

Festival events and competitions continue every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until November 16. This afternoon, the Sila’a 40-foot traditional rowing race will take place along the city’s waterfront, featuring four heats over a distance of 3 nautical miles, with the participation of 68 boats and 1,156 rowers. Total prizes awarded for the race exceed AED 2.4 million.