Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways will be the official sponsors of the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club's (ADIMSC) new International School of Sailing.

This was disclosed yesterday at a press conference and was attended by Saif Al Suwaidi, the director of ADIMSC, Raymond G. Kurban, the regional GM of Etihad, Geert W. Boven, Vice-President-Commercial of Etihad, and Tarek Al Dakhakhni, Marketing Manager of Gulf Food Industries.

"It will teach children between 8-14 years all levels of sailing under the guidance of professional instructors," Al Suwaidi said.

"Despite the fact that the official opening will be in September, the school has already started and we have 49 students at present," he added.

"The school capacity will be around 200-250 youngsters and the joining fees are only Dh400 for two and a half months. The Sailing School will be open to all interested children, national or expatriates," Al Suwaidi confirmed. "The beginners will learn basic boat handling skills in a safe and playful way. Once the children master the basic skills, they will learn advanced skills and racing rules and tactics. The experienced children will train and practise advanced techniques preparing themselves for international competitions," Al Suwaidi explained.

"We will invite all school managements and parents to come and have a close look and introduce them to the Optimist sailing class and the facilities to encourage the kids to start sailing.

Future champions

"It was the policy of the club and the directors of Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, the President of the ADIMSC, that the club should not only host and organise successful local and international championships but also teach children marine sports and to discover and train future champions," Al Suwaidi concluded.

Kurban said the sponsorship deal, which was not disclosed, comes within the Eithad policy and strategy to support local sports sector. "We are honoured to help future champions. It is our policy to provide support to youngsters in all kinds of sports in the UAE," Kurban explained.