Amid a lively atmosphere and intense competition among participants from the GCC countries, Dubai International Marine Club successfully hosted the 29th edition of the Al Maktoum Cup for Local Rowing Boats at Dubai Healthcare City Promenade – Phase Two in the Al Jaddaf area of Dubai, with total prize money of AED 450,000.
In the local category heat, the boat “Zilzal”, owned by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and skippered by Fahad Ahmed Al Marri, claimed first place. “Al Thahab”, owned and skippered by Ahmed Ibrahim Al Ghamlasi, secured second place, while “Julfar”, also owned by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi and skippered by Badr Nasser Al Shahi, finished third.
In the open category heat, first place went to “KHK” from the Kingdom of Bahrain, owned by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and skippered by Ahmed bin Nasser Al Busaimeet. The boat outperformed “Bilarab”, representing the Oman Marine Sports Committee and skippered by Hamid Salem Al Bahri, which finished second, while “Dubai Police 1”, representing Dubai Police General Headquarters and skippered by Mohammed Ismail Al Falasi, claimed third place.
The winners were crowned by Mohammed Harib, Executive Director of Dubai International Marine Club; Mohammed Al Obaidli, Secretary General of the Sailing and Modern Rowing Federation; Ali Al Naqbi from Dubai Police General Headquarters; and Mohammed Al Marri, Director of Sports Affairs at Dubai International Marine Club.
Additionally, the boat “Zilzal”, skippered by Fahad Ahmed Al Marri, was honored with the Ideal Team Award for this season in local rowing competitions.
Mohammed Harib highlighted that the continued participation of generations in traditional rowing coincides with the 29-year legacy of the Al Maktoum Cup, reflecting the event’s goal of passing this heritage sport from one generation to the next and spreading it across the UAE and the GCC region. He noted that the success of marine sports in the UAE was evident in the participation of teams from Gulf countries and the high level of competition witnessed, which strengthens brotherly ties and bonds among the Gulf nations through such sporting gatherings.
For his part, Ahmed bin Nasser Al Busaimeet, skipper of Bahrain’s “KHK” team, expressed gratitude to Dubai International Marine Club for organizing and preparing traditional rowing championships in general, and the Al Maktoum Cup in particular. He described the event as a prime destination and ambition for all rowing teams across the GCC, consistently marked by strong competition among participants from various Gulf nationalities.
Former UAE national football team star Majed Nasser praised the organizers’ efforts and emphasized the importance of rowing in building generations committed to an active lifestyle, healthy habits, and discipline in training and competitions. He noted that, besides being a cherished part of the UAE’s heritage, rowing also strengthens athletes physically, adding that he had practiced the sport for over 20 years, which later supported his professional football career.
