Sailing for the disabled is what will stand out at the Jebel Ali Sailing Club (JASC) once it relocates to its new home next to The Palm.

"We're over the moon at what we are going to achieve while assisting sailing in the UAE," Commodore Ramsey Assal told Gulf News.

According to Assal, Nakheel the leading property developers in the UAE, confirmed they were willing to bear expenses for an Dh8 million clubhouse for the JASC.

"The disabled children will be very much in our plans when we take possession of the new facility," confirmed Sharon Allison, Principal and Administration Manager at the JASC.

"Until now, we've only had exchange programmes for special needs school children. But now we are serious about having something more permanent for them so that these children can pursue sailing on a regular basis," Allison stated.

Together with the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC), the JASC has the honour of being the Royal Association's Association's (RYA) first overseas Sailability sites.

"Our club is dedicated to sailing and special needs children are very much part of our plans," reiterated Assal.

The new clubhouse will move from its current location, just after the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Hotel premises, to its new place along one of the man-made islands being developed by Nakheel.

"The reclamation of the land is on in full-swing and construction will commence very soon," said Assal. "This will definitely make us one of the foremost sailing clubs in the Gulf and we are excited about it."

The JASC was founded in 1977 on land donated by the late Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Ever since, the JASC has been in the forefront of training young sailors in Dubai. Two years ago, the JASC even hosted the Top Cat World Championships.

And when Nakheel commenced work on The Palm and Dubai Marina, JASC was faced with the prospect of being evicted from their original home.

But General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, generously allowed the club to shift its base on one of the islands.

"It's a generous move from a great man. And this will definitely aid sailing," Assal said.

FRESH BEGINNING

JASC looking ahead optimistically

• The Jebel Ali Sailing Club (JASC) was established in 1977 on a piece of land donated by the late Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

• Somewhere in 1995, there was a move to make JASC part of the Nakheel development plan.

• However, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence, intervened and paved the way for JASC to continue at a completely new location, the construction of which will cost Nakheel Dh8 million.