HRH The Countess of Wessex praises activities of HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival

Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex is presented with a special award in the name of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and commemorative HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival Year Book by HE Sulaiman Al Mazroui and Ms. Lara Sawaya

HRH The Countess of Wessex praised the activities of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival at the Women of the Future Summit, a forum dedicated to discussing the world of millennial leaders held at the Hilton Park Lane, London on Wednesday evening.

HE Sulaiman Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to the UK, together with Ms. Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, Chairperson of the International Federation of Horse Racing Academies (IFHRA) and Chairperson of Ladies & Apprentice Racing Committees in the International Federation of Arabian Horse Racing Authorities (IFAHR), attended a private meeting with the Women of the Future Programme’s Royal Ambassador, Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex.

At the highly-prestigious engagement held only for sponsors and associates of the awards, HRH The Countess of Wessex together with Women of the Future Programme Founder Pink Lilani CBE DL, congratulated HE Al Mazroui and Ms. Sawaya on the ever-evolving activities of the Festival and the continued efforts of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs to sustain and develop the universal growth of Arabian racing. Women of the Future Awards host and British television newsreader, Julie Etchingham, was also in attendance to learn more about HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival’s sponsorship of the Women of the Future Sport Award.

During the extensive discussion, Her Royal Highness received a highly educational insight into the global profile of the Festival and the training, mentorship and professional guidance offered by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the UAE, Chairperson of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood and Mother of the World to female jockeys under the umbrella of the Ladies World Championship series.

HRH The Countess of Wessex was presented with an award and commemorative book by HE Sulaiman Al Mazroui and Ms. Lara Sawaya on behalf of HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan to pay thanks to Her Royal Highness and celebrate the Festival’s inaugural sponsorship of the awards. Ms. Sawaya, Executive Director commented, "This is an extremely proud moment for HH Sheikh Mansoor Festival and the Ambassador and we are honoured to meet with HRH The Countess of Wessex. “It has been a privilege to discuss the work of our patron HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan with Her Royal Highness and provide further insight into the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies World Championship”, she said.

“Supporting young female talent in sport, especially Arabian racing is extremely important to HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, and we look forward to presenting the Women of the Future Sport Award at tonight’s ceremony. We wish jockey Alice Mills and the remaining finalists the very best of luck.”

HE Sulaiman Al Mazroui and Ms. Lara Sawaya meet with Julie Etchingham (c) and Pinki Lilani CBE DL (r)

The HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival is sustained by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and coordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, with National Feed and Flour Production and Marketing Co. LLC as associate sponsors, IPIC as Strategic Partner, The  National Archives as the official partner and Emirates airline as the official carriers, in cooperation with Emirates Racing Authority, IFAHR, Emirates Arabian Horse Society, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare  and sponsored by Al Aweer Stables, Ayadii LLC, Global United Veterinary Services LLC, Bloom, Petromal, Rise General Trading Co. LLC, Hayatna, Wathba Stallions, Abu Dhabi Falconers Club, Emirates Falconers Club,  Mohamed Bin Zayed Falconry and Desert Physiognomy School, Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, Omeir Travels, Dr Nader Saab Switzerland, Laboratories Fadia Karam Cosmetics, YAS Channel, Racing Post, Paris Turf,  Al Wathba Centre, the UAE's General Women's Union, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, the HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2016, Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, Eastern Mangroves Suites-Abu Dhabi by Jannah, Anantara Eastern Mangroves Spa and Resort.

Source: HH SH Mansoor Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival / Satya Narayan
Photo: Morhaf Al Assaf