News

UAE, Al Dhafra Region – Sunday, 8 February 2026: The competitions of the Traditional Tafeer Race and the Salah Dhow Sailing Race concluded in Al Mirfa City as part of the Abu Dhabi Masters Games 2026, with wide participation from dhows and sailors and a vibrant competitive atmosphere that reflected the depth of the UAE’s maritime heritage. The events were organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club.

The Traditional Tafeer Race witnessed strong competition, resulting in “Mashaakes” No. 54 securing first place, owned by the Roads and Transport Administration – Dubai, and captained by Ali Ismail Al Hammadi. “Al Lulu” No. 16 finished second, owned and captained by Rashid Saeed Sabah Al Rumaithi, while “Zallal” No. 24 claimed third place, owned and captained by Saleh Mohammed Al Hammadi.

The race also featured the honoring of veteran captain Juma bin Hathboor Al Rumaithi, in a gesture aligned with the message of the Abu Dhabi Masters Games, which emphasizes that sport is a culture and a set of values that extend across generations, highlighting the family’s role in preserving and passing on this heritage.

In the Salah Dhow Sailing Race, “Al Taff” claimed first place, owned and captained by Yousef Ahmed Mohammed Al Hammadi. “Al Hadi” secured second place, owned and captained by Abdullah Sabah Mohammed Al Rumaithi, while “Marban” finished third, owned and captained by Ibrahim Ismail Al Marzouqi.

The winners were crowned by Saeed Khalifa Al Mehairi, Executive Director of the Sports Development Sector at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Saeed Humaid Al Mehairi, Head of Technical Support at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club; Ali Salmeen Al Dhaheri, Head of Traditional Sports at the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Khalifa Al Rumaithi, Director of Traditional Sports Events at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club; and Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Director of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club Academy.

Khalifa Al Rumaithi affirmed that organizing these races forms part of ongoing efforts to preserve traditional marine sports, support their sustainability, and strengthen their community presence, in line with the objectives of Abu Dhabi Masters Games 2026 in showcasing the UAE’s sporting heritage.