News

Dalma, Thursday, May 11, 2023: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, representative of the ruler in the Al Dhafra region, will start tomorrow, Friday, the sixth historic Dalma Festival race for the 60-foot sailing bearings, with the participation of more than 3,000 sailors and boatmen on board 125 loads.

The race starts at six in the morning from Dalma Island, passing through the islands of Sir Bani Yas, Ghusha, Umm Al-Kurkam, Al-Fatayer, Al-Bazm, Al-Fayai, Marawah, and finally, Janana Island before landing on the beach of Al-Mughirah in Al-Dhafra Region.

These islands represent important stations for boaters and sailors, as the race is organized by the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club and the Abu Dhabi Festivals and Cultural and Heritage Programs Management Committee, with the follow-up of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

The total cash and in-kind prizes for the race amount to 30 million dirhams, which are the highest prizes in the history of marine heritage races, and are distributed among the first to 120 positions, and the champion gets 1.3 million dirhams, the runner-up gets one million dirhams, the third gets 800 thousand dirhams, and the fourth gets 700 thousand. Dirhams, and the fifth on 650 thousand dirhams.

Also, three cars were allocated to the winners of the first three places.

The list of partners for the historic race includes the Committee for the Management of Festivals and Cultural and Heritage Programs in Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Al Dhafra Municipality, Al Masaood Motors Company, and the Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, thanked His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and praised His Highness's support for the race, which has become a special and strong place for sailors and sailors since its first launch in 2017.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan also sent a message of thanks to all the boatmen participating in the race and those present in making this historical epic. In everyone's hearts."

His Excellency Major General Staff Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police and Chairman of the Committee for the Management of Festivals and Cultural and Heritage Programs appreciated the directives and the great care shown by the wise leadership to sustain Emirati heritage and encourage its practice and promotion, and consolidate its values and pass it on to generations.

He added that the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul, raised awareness of the value of the Emirati cultural heritage and heritage marine races, as this race represents a distinguished event to celebrate the country's maritime heritage and its historical path, and enhances the agenda of Abu Dhabi's cultural and heritage activities.

Ahmed Thani Al-Rumaithi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, said that the launch of the historical event is a continuation of the great success of the longest race and the defining message of the UAE's marine heritage to the world, and the huge stock it possesses in this aspect.

He added that the race comes at the top with its firm values and the maritime leadership of the state through a heritage and historical voyage on eight islands from Dalma to Mughirah Beach.

Majid Al Muhairi, Director of the Racing Department at the Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club, confirmed that the organizing committee had completed the organizational, technical, and logistical preparations and completed the comprehensive technical examination stage for all participating bearings.

He added that the committee was keen to set the launch date after reviewing the weather reports in cooperation with the National Meteorological Center to ensure the safety of the sailors and to ensure that all participating sailing bearings reach the finish line.