Dubai: March 2 was a special day for Saeed Hareb. Installed afresh as Vice-Chairman of the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) which he established more than two decades ago, Hareb has set himself a clearer and fresher vision of not only taking the DIMC back to its glory days, but also asserting and consolidating it as an international entity in the world of watersports.
During the previous 22 years that he spent establishing and building up DIMC, Hareb has never shied away from taking fresh initiatives to better the sport. From the first Class One powerboat race way back in 1992, to the constant training visits of America’s Cup sailing teams, Hareb, who was given the Stefano Casiraghi Memorial Trophy by the UIM in 2012, has overseen the tremendous growth and potential of watersports in the UAE. Last month, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, saw it fit to once again usher in changes while appointing Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum as Chairman and Hareb as Vice-Chairman at DIMC.
GULF NEWS: A second stint at DIMC, then. What is going to be new and different this time?
SAEED HAREB: Honestly, nothing is going to be new as I have come back to my home. But, I can say that things will be different and better as it is now time for us to take a step forward.
Q. Twenty-two years is a long time. What sort of memories did you take with you after the new board was set up last year?
A. I grew up with the DIMC and have spent more than 20 years there. It is my baby and over the years we grew together. The first porta cabin set up in 1990 cost me Dh20,000. Of course, over the years, we have slowly built around this cabin. I covered the cabin with date palm leaves and today it is called Barasti!
Q. Why do you think that watersports and Saeed Hareb are so closely linked in Dubai?
A. For the answer you will have to take a look at what we had when we started and what facilities we have today. Since then, the DIMC has gone on to host some of the best watersports events in the world, including sailing, powerboat and traditional rowing. In between we had so much attention from the international media due to the presence of a few Louis Vuitton Cup sailing teams. Watersports have been my passion and life and I could never think of anything else. None of this success could have been possible without the backing and support of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO and Chairman of the Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai World.
Q. What sort of task have you been assigned this time?
A. My task is to carry forward the vision of DIMC chairman Shaikh Majid. We will continue our efforts to build and establish DIMC as a worldwide entity. Things are going to be different for me now as we will be expected to go one better. We are now in the heart of new Dubai and it is our responsibility and moral obligation to preserve our culture and heritage as a sea-faring nation and, at the same time, portray Dubai as a modern city. If we were to put it in a few words I would say my task is to strike a balance between being modern and traditional.
Q. How would you compare your two terms at DIMC?
A. I am glad I got this break from the DIMC last year as it is during this time that I got the opportunity to look afresh at things, and in a very objective manner. I certainly see things better now.
Q. What would be some of the concrete plans you have in mind?
A. We need our youth to get involved in all forms of sea activities and racing. They need to know the basics of our culture and heritage and we will definitely work around programmes that bring our kids together.
Luxury cruises are another area that we need to pay attention to. Dubai attracts a huge number of tourists and, since DIMC represents anything that is associated with watersports, we will now try and probe a new role that we can play to further boost this sector. We will no longer be just about racing, but as an entity that is commercially viable and successful.
Q. On the other hand, one gets the feeling that Class One and XCAT powerboat racing are headed towards a confrontation? How would you strike a balance?
A. Class One has a history of its own, and in comparison, the XCAT powerboat racing is new. So the two forms should not be confronting each other. In recent years I have been witness to Class One being misused with politics creeping in. This, in turn, has weakened Class One. My suggestion would be that we stop Class One powerboat racing completely at least for one year so that we can take fresh stock and return with new ideas to make the sport better. If we don’t do this, then both XCAT and Class One will self-destruct.
Q. How can you help?
A. I think the world governing body (UIM) with Dr Raffaelo Chiulli as president, ought to take the initiative and help find a solution to this cold war that is on between the two racing classes. Both are run under the auspices of the UIM, and hence he should take the initiative. If they leave the situation like it is, Class One may be headed towards doom. The XCATs may survive as it is a much more cost-effective brand of racing.
Q. What is the way forward for the DIMC?
A. We may try and provide more service for sure, but we will not try and change anything. What we do need is more international media exposure as we need more attention and focus to be on Dubai. That would be the next most important goal. Shortly, we will be appointing a consulting company to make a thorough study and hand us a master plan so that we can harness the true potential of a place like the DIMC.
