The Higher Organizing Committee at the Dubai International Marine Club for the highly anticipated 32nd Al Gaffal Long Distance Race for 60ft Dhow Sailing, from Sir Bu Na'air Island to the Dubai coast, has announced the allocation of five cars to the top five front-runners in the race.
The grand heritage event is being held under the patronage and support of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai. The event will be organized by Dubai International Marine Club from the upcoming Friday until the 28th of this month, marking the culmination of the 2022-2023 marine sports season.
Rashid Thani Al Aail, a member of the Higher Organizing Committee of the 32nd Al Gaffal Race, emphasized the importance of the support and encouragement received from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, as a genuine source of motivation to ensure the success of the highly anticipated event. He confirmed that the organizing committee is working diligently with partners from government departments and national institutions to complete all organizational aspects.
Al Aail further highlighted that the great race is one of the traditional maritime sporting heritages and a joyous social gathering eagerly awaited by the people of the country each year. It provides a platform for expressing love and appreciation for their heritage , and showcases the historical connection their ancestors had with the sea, a source of abundance livelihood.
In his remarks, the member of the Higher Organizing Committee commended the remarkable participation of boat owners and sailors who have registered and taken part in the race. Over the past three decades, the race has gained immense popularity, becoming the largest and oldest event of its kind. Its association with the 60-ft Traditional Dhow Sailing Race category has contributed to its success, having been introduced in 1993 and becoming a highly competitive category within the season.
On a different note, a delegation from the organizing committee of the 32nd Al Gaffal Race will visit Sir Bu Na'air Island today to meet with officials and oversee the preparations for welcoming the club's convoy and the arrival of the participating marine vessels. These vessels will remain on the island for a day or two before the highly anticipated race which takes place from the 26th to the 28th of this month, as determined by the supervising committee based on sea conditions and wind speeds.
Al Gaffal Golden Record:
