Liwa International Festival 2009 to feature a host of new events

Abu Dhabi: Preparations are in full swing for a momentous start to the Liwa International Festival 2009 on January 25, an official said.

The six-day event is being held under the auspices of the Abu Dhabi Motors Club in coordination with the Western Region Development Council and the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADMC) under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs.

"The festival will include many new events that aim to attract adventure sport enthusiasts besides traditional competitions," Abdullah Buti Al Qubaisi, general manager of ADMC, told Gulf News. Camel racing, horse racing and falcon racing, besides activities that appeal to motorsport enthusiasts, will be the highlights of this year's event.

Other activities will be associated with the main events such as Mureb Dune Market. Those looking forward to competing in the various events can register online until January 20.

Cash prizes apart, a four-wheel-drive vehicle and a motorcycle will be handed out to winners in various categories at a music-filled concluding ceremony on the final day of the event.

The big attraction

Tel Mureb is one of the tallest sand dunes in the world, rising to a height of 300 metres and sitting 1,600 metres across with a 50-degree incline.

Tel Mureb is situated in the middle of The Empty Quarter near the Liwa oasis in the western region of Abu Dhabi.

The access path to Tel Mureb is paved and accessible even by light cars. The distance between Abu Dhabi and Tel Mureb is 250km.