Government of Dubai Media Office – 09 May 2022: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, met with the members of the organizing committee of the 31st Al Gaffal Long Distance Race at a reception. The committee is chaired by His Excellency Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, Chairman of the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).
During a reception, His Highness approved the dates of the 31st Al Gaffal Long Distance Race, which will be held from 27 to 29 May 2022. Held for the second year in a row, the event is being organized by the Dubai International Marine Club under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
His Highness reviewed the Club’s efforts to ensure the successful organization of the race, featuring dhows with 60-foot sails. The race will chart a 50 nautical mile course from the Sir Bu Na’air island to the Dubai Coast. His Highness directed the organizing committee to coordinate with various government entities to ensure the safety and security of participants and the smooth and efficient organization of the race.
The reception was also attended by the Club’s Vice Chairman Saif Jumah Al Suwaidi; CEO of the Club Mohammed Harib; and Board member Jamal bin Krishan.
Since its inception in 1991, the event has become an annual tradition that brings together more than 3000 spectators. The dhow race celebrates the UAE's pearl fishing culture, in which the traditional sailing vessel has played an integral role.
H.E Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, Chairman of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) & Vice President of UAE Marine Sports Federation (UAEMSF) thanked His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, for his support of the 31st edition of the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race which will be held from Sir Bu Na’air Island to Dubai Coast exclusively for 60ft Dhow Sailing category.
He stressed that the continuation of this event reflects the enthusiasm of our wise leaders in reviving the past of their forefathers and in preserving the great heritage, which reflects on how their ancestor life was linked to the sea that offered them a safe haven and abundant livelihood.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors at DIMC added that His Highness’s Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum meeting with the club’s delegates reveal the great interest and devotion of His Highness to watersports particularly in traditional races. His Highness directed the club to coordinate with various government entities to ensure the safety and security of participants by efficiently organizing the race which received an overwhelming response and popularity among the community in the country for three decades now.
Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar explained that the directives of His Highness will remain the focus of the organizing committee in preparing for the 31st edition of the Al Gaffal on the 27th-29th of May which will conclude the DIMC’s water sports season 2021-2022.
The Al Gaffal Race which is organized 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 Dubai on its 31st edition, is the oldest traditional race in the Gulf & Arab Region since its inception in 1991 that has passed through generations.
Al Gaffal was founded by the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which became an annual tradition that brings together more than 3000 people in Sir Bu Na’air Island sailing towards Dubai Coast for 50 nautical miles in commemorating the UAE’s culture in fishing and pearl diving.
Dubai International Marine Club organized last year the 30th edition of the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race that achieved a huge success represented by more than 100 boat participants wherein the crew of Nimran 211 succeeded to reach first the finish line near Ain Dubai in Bluewater's Island.
Dubai International Marine Club is completing all the necessary preparation for the upcoming 31st Al Gaffal Long Distance Race on the 27th-29th of May from Sir Bu Na’air Island to Dubai Coast which is 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.
The organizing committee will be held today (Wednesday) the General Meeting with the Government Departments and National institutions in support of the 31st Al Gaffal Race wherein all the details and preparations will be discussed to ensure the success of the race.
It was also decided that today will start the registration process for the race thru the club website which all sailors are accustomed to.
The Board of Directors at DIMC has approved the formation of the Al Gaffal Higher Organizing Committee headed by H.E Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, Chairman of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) & Vice President of UAE Marine Sports Federation (UAEMSF) while Saif Juma Al Suwaidi, as the Vice President of the Committee & the Vice Chairman of the Club Board of Director with the membership of Rashid Thani Al Aail and Jamal Zaal bin Kreshan both DIMC Board Member, in addition to them is Mohammed Hareb , CEO of DIMC.
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The Al Gaffal Race which is organized 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 Dubai on its 31st edition, is the oldest traditional race in the Gulf & Arab Region since its inception in 1991 that has passed through generations.
Al Gaffal was founded by the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which became an annual tradition that brings together more than 3000 people in Sir Bu Na’air Island sailing towards Dubai Coast for 50 nautical miles in commemorating the UAE’s culture in fishing and pearl diving.
Dubai International Marine Club organized last year the 30th edition of the Al Gaffal Long Distance Race that achieved a huge success represented by more than 100 boat participants wherein the crew of Nimran 211 succeeded to reach first the finish line near Ain Dubai in Bluewater's Island.
Dubai International Marine Club is completing all the necessary preparation for the upcoming 31st Al Gaffal Long Distance Race on the 27th-29th May from Sir Bu Na’air Island to Dubai Coast which is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.
The organizing committee held a meeting today (Wednesday) with the Government Departments and National Institutions and partners in support of the success of the race led by the presence of Mohammed Hareb, CEO of DIMC and member of the Higher Organizing Committee of Al Gaffal Race wherein the requirements have been discussed in line with the directives of His Highness, the sponsor of the event.
Dubai International Marine Club has launched the online portal for the 31st Al Gaffal Long Distance Race happening on the 27-29th of May 2022, the big event is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council.
The Higher Organizing Committee continuous its efforts for the success of the event, headed by H.E Ahmad Saeed bin Meshar, Chairman of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) & Vice President of UAE Marine Sports Federation (UAEMSF) while Saif Juma Al Suwaidi, as the Vice President of the Committee & the Vice Chairman of the Club Board of Director with the membership of Rashid Thani Al Aail and Jamal Zaal bin Kreshan both DIMC Board Member, in addition to them is Mohammed Hareb , CEO of DIMC.
According to the latest weather forecast the Sir Bu Na’air Island will start from the depth of Arabian Gulf towards the finish line in Dubai Coast for more than 50 nautical miles passing thru Moon Island as the first finish line, wherein the racers are required to pass thru.
The Online Portal includes all the related information about the big race including the Registration Link for the owners, sailors and crews that will be accompanying each boat during the race.
Website : https://algaffal.ae/
أعلنت اللجنة المنظمة لسباق القفال 31 للسفن الشراعية المحلية 60 قدماً والذي ينظمه نادي دبي الدولي للرياضات البحرية بدعم ورعاية من سمو الشيخ حمدان بن محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم، ولي عهد دبي رئيس المجلس التنفيذي، عن تأجيل موعد السباق الذي كان مقررا له سابقا الفترة 27-29 الجاري وذلك بسبب الأحوال الجوية وتقارير النشرة البحرية المتوقعة في الأيام المقبلة.
وتدرس اللجنة العليا المنظمة للسباق اختيار الموعد المناسب على حسب ظروف وحالة البحر في الايام المقبلة من خلال مراقبة كل التفاصيل الخاصة بحالة البحر ومتابعة التقارير اليومية لاختيار الموعد المناسب لاقامة السباق.
وجاء قرار اللجنة العليا المنظمة برئاسة أحمد سعيد بن مسحار، رئيس مجلس إدارة نادي دبي الدولي للرياضات البحرية نائب رئيس إتحاد الامارات للرياضات البحرية، بإرجاء الانطلاقة تنفيذاً لتوجيهات سمو الشيخ حمدان بن محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم راعي الحدث والذي وجه اللجنة المنظمة بالعمل على تحقيق مبدأ السلامة للمشاركين وإقامة السباق في أفضل الظروف والعمل على تهيئة السبل المناسبة للمشاركين خلال التنقل من شواطئ الدولة نحو جزيرة (صير بونعير) في عمق الخليج العربي والعودة من هناك مرة أخرى بسلام إلى شواطئ دبي يوم السباق.
وقال أحمد سعيد بن مسحار إن اللجنة العليا المنظمة ظلت تراقب عن كثب كافة التقارير الخاصة بالأحوال الجوية وحركة الموج والرياح في بحر الخليج العربي والمتوقعة خلال الساعات والأيام القادمة عبر المواقع الإلكترونية المتخصصة وتقارير المركز الوطني للأرصاد والتي أشارت إلى حالة عدم استقرار يتعذر معها تنقل المشاركين والسفن والمحامل نحو جزيرة (صير بونعير) في أمان قبل السباق مما استدعى اتخاذ قرار سريع بتحديد موعد جديد من أجل إنجاح هذه التظاهرة السنوية.
وأوضح رئيس اللجنة العليا المنظمة لسباق القفال 31 إن اللجنة واللجان المعاونة في النادي في حالة تنسيق دائم ومستمر مع شركاء النجاح من الدوائر الحكومية والمؤسسات الوطنية وجميعهم يعملون كفريق واحد من أجل الوصول بالحدث إلى النجاح المطلوب من خلال توفير المتطلبات وتأمين خط سير السباق وقبل ذلك وصول المشاركين إلى مكان بداية السباق والاستعداد من هناك لبدء الحدث في موعده.
وأوضح أحمد سعيد بن مسحار أن نادي دبي الدولي للرياضات البحرية على تواصل مستمر مع الملاك والنواخذة والبحارة سواءً في هذا السباق أو باقي الأحداث التي ينظمها النادي مشيداً في هذا الخصوص بالتعاون الكبير الذي يظهره أهل البحر في كافة المحافل والأحداث ومن بينها سباق القفال حيث يتم التنسيق في كيفية التحرك نحو مكان البداية والتنسيق مع اللجنة المنظمة لضمان سلامة السفن والبحارة المشاركين وتنفيذ كافة التعليمات والشروط الصادرة من النادي والخاصة بالمشاركة.
وأكد رئيس اللجنة العليا المنظمة للسباق أن النادي قدم تجربة فريدة هذا الموسم بعد تشكيل لجنة استشارية تضم 5 نواخذة من متسابقي القوارب الشراعية المحلية تحت إشراف اللجنة الرياضية وذلك لدعم النادي وتمثيل المتسابقين وتقديم المقترحات مما جعل أهل البحر قريبين من النادي في تقديم المشورة فيما يخص السباقات وقد نال قرار التأجيل موافقة وقبول تامين من هذه اللجنة.
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الجدير بالذكر إن سباق القفال للمسافات الطويلة والمخصص للسفن الشراعية المحلية 60 قدماً والذي أسسه المغفور له بإذن الله الشيخ حمدان بن راشد آل مكتوم -طيب الله ثراه- عام 1991، ينطلق من خط البداية في جزيرة (صير بونعير) في عمق الخليج العربي مروراً بخط النهاية الأول قبالة جزيرة القمر (نيوه بن حنظول) وصولاً إلى خط النهاية في شواطئ دبي لمسافة تزيد عن 50 ميلاً بحرياً.
ومن المتوقع أن يجمع السباق والذي يجسد رحلات عودة الآباء والأجداد في الماضي من موسم الغوص وصيد اللؤلؤ في (هيرات) الخليج العربي، أكثر من 3000 شخصاً سيجسدون ملحمة تراثية مضيئة على متن سفنهم والتي سترفع أشرعتها البيضاء على صفحة مياه الخليج الزرقاء لتذكر الأجيال المتعاقبة بالماضي الجميل بين أرقى وجهات الحاضر المشرق.
