High hopes for watersports festival

Dubai: The top official from the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) is hoping the new Sea Dubai Watersports Festival will help link the past with the future.

"This festival is not merely aimed at fostering and preserving the bond between culture and sports, it is also to link our past with the future," Saeed Hareb, Managing Director of DIMC and CEO, Mina Seyahi, told Gulf News.

The Sea Dubai Watersports Festival was officially announced by Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Culture and Arts Authority and a supporter of watersports.

The Sea Dubai Watersports Festival will be held at the Mina Seyahi from December 2-13.

The festival will embrace the final two rounds of the UIM Class One World Powerboat Championships along with traditional rowing and sailing competitions.

The senior official said the DIMC had embarked on a completely new concept this year with the watersports festival.

"On the one hand we will have local competitions portraying skill and culture, and on the other, we will have international contests like the Class One powerboat races," Hareb said.

"The attempt in having an array of activities is to give residents the opportunity to experience power, heritage and skills all at the same time," Hareb explained.

"The idea is also to help people connect between two different generations," Hareb stressed.

Shaikh Majid, who has been one of the main supporters of watersports, also honoured last season's watersports champions, including Aref Saif Al Zafein and Jean Marc Sanchez, the defending Class One world powerboat champions, as well as Victory Team's Khalfan Hareb and Gian Franco Venturelli.

"Champions like these help put the UAE and Dubai on the international map," Hareb stated.

Shaikh Majid took a personal interest in the Victory Team's programme last season by visiting them in Athens and Oslo.

"His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has been our strongest supporter by increasing our annual budget, and Shaikh Majid has always assured us of his support," Hareb said.

"We are committed to the vision of Shaikh Mohammad wherein he has urged us to increase our participation in international events. We want to ensure we give the sport and tradition the right direction through this festival," Hareb added.