H.H. Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival

Preparations in full swing for Third World Arabian Racing Conference to be held in Berlin in June

Preparations are in full swing for the H.H Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival’s Third World Arabian Racing Conference to be held in the Germany’s capital city of Berlin from June 7 to 9, 2012.

Addressing a  press conference at the ADNEC here today, Ms Lara Sawaya, Director of the H.H Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival, said, “The third edition of the World Arabian Racing Conference will see over 200 delegates from all over the globe.”

“This year we have again drawn up a list of the important factors that affect Purebred Arabian racing and some of the most experienced experts will be taking part in the panel discussions,” she said.

“We will also be introducing a session for lady jockeys and this will include amateurs as well as professionals who will exchange and discuss the challenges that they face in the sport,” Ms Sawaya said.

Abdullah Al Qubaisi of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, who was also among the officials to address the media, said, “Among all the activities being organized by the Festival the Racing Conference has played a huge role in achieving what has also been our organization’s aim which is to preserve and spread the culture and identity of the UAE. Since 2009 this Festival has grown in strength and the third edition will be more fruitful in promoting Arabian racing around the globe.”

Sami Al Boenain, chairman of IFAHR, said “The activities of the H.H Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival have given a qualitative and quantum leap to Arabian horse racing in the world.”

“In the first two years of the conference we saw a series of very crucial topics being discussed and quite a few changes have occurred at the grass-roots level since then. We have all been working to implement some of the recommendations in various aspects like breeding, training, organization of races etc.”

Mats Genberg, Secretary of IFAHR said, “Iran and Lebanon have applied for IFAHR membership. Also there is a formation of Arabian Horse Racing Organisation in Brazil. There are also informal talks with several of the former Soviet countries. Overall there has been all-round progress and we hope to achieve more in the near future.”

Talal Al Hashimi of  Abu Dhabi Sports Council said, “The Council has been involved in so many conferences dealing with various sport and this Racing Conference in particular is very close to our hearts as it deals with our culture and heritage.”

Stephen Bowey, Executive  Director, Marketing of Invest AD expressed his delight with the success of the Festival. “In the last three years we have seen the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Festival live up to its vision, show phenomenal growth and also reflect its endurance- something which is here to stay for a long time.”

Khalid  Abdullah Al Hussain, Director of Sports Affairs Administration of General Authority  of Youth and Sports Welfare, said, “We are glad to be part of this initiative and we hope that the Arabian Racing Conference will provide a lot of solutions to the obstacles being faced by Arabian racing. “

May Al Absi, PR and Media representative of General  Women’s Union, said, “Being organized for the third year, the Racing conference reflects the vision of the UAE leaders in promoting traditional sport. In particular we are happy with the HH Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Cup for lady jockeys as it gives a change to amateurs and upcoming lady jockeys all over the world.”

Khalid Bel Jaflah, Emirates Vice President, Commercial Sales (UAE) said, “Since we announced our sponsorship with the Festival earlier this year we have been involved in many races both here in the UAE and around the globe.”

“We have numerous partnerships with many elite racing clubs and marquee races around the globe. Our sponsorship of this world class racing conference reconfirms our commitment to this graceful sport,” Bel Jaflah said.

The H.H Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival is organized by the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and co-ordinated by Abu Dhabi Sports Council in association with Emirates Arabian Horse Society and IFAHR, supported by General Authority for Youth and Sports and Fegentri with Emirates airlines as the official carrier and sponsored by  Invest AD, Al Rashid Investment, Areej Al Ameerat, Mauzan, Al Awani General Enterprises, Kabale, the UAE's General Women's Union, the Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy, Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition 2012, Wathba Stud Farm and Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

Saada Saab Antypas, Press Coordinator
Photos: Morhaf