Marine sports enthusiasts in Dubai are eagerly anticipating the 27th edition of the Al Maktoum Cup Traditional Rowing Race – 30ft, the most expensive and significant segment of the Traditional Rowing Race – 30ft. This event marks the conclusion of the 2023-2024 sports season at the Dubai International Marine Club and will take place on Saturday.
The upcoming event holds a great importance as it brings together elite fans of this sport, representing its rich history and authenticity while reviving the heritage of the United Arab Emirates, the peoples of the Arabian Gulf region and the coast of Oman. The competition reaches its final round with the conclusion of the Dubai Championship, determining the top boats that qualified to compete in the most expensive traditional rowing race.
It was first organized by the Dubai International Marine Club in the 1997-1998 season, the race will be held along the Dubai Water Canal, near the Wildlife Sanctuary, covering a race distance of 2.3 KM. Participants will enjoy a stunning view of the Burj Khalifa skyline, the Business Bay, and the facade of Dubai Harbour.
The race will attract up to 300 sailors on board more than 30 boats competing in two categories: the local class dedicated to the top 20 elite boats in Dubai, and the open class for participants from the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC), government, and national institutions. The race is scheduled to start at three o'clock in the afternoon.
The organizing committee at the Dubai International Marine Club has already commenced preparations for the success of the event, which is expected to become one of the biggest celebrations for traditional sports. Coordination is underway with success partners from government departments and national institutions.
In the current marine sports season 2023-2024, the Dubai International Marine Club successfully organized the first two round races on the twenty-fifth of last November and the second on the ninth of this month, both receiving significant participation from the people of the country and from the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and residents.
The first round of the Dubai Championship witnessed the victory of the boats Al Asifa 36 (Local Class) and KHK 54 (Open Class), while the second round saw the triumph of the boats Atlas 39 (Local Class) and Shabab Sohar 22 (Open Class).
Dubai International Marine Club announced the overall rankings for the participating boats in the Al Maktoum Cup Traditional Rowing Race - 30ft, organized by the club within the sports season 2023-2024 after the results of the first two rounds held recently.
The anticipated race will start on Saturday at exactly three o'clock in the afternoon on the waters of the Dubai Water Canal along the promenade of Al Jaddaf area, opposite the Wildlife Sanctuary, featuring the Burj Khalifa skyline, Business Bay, until the Dubai Creek Harbour promenade for a race distance of 2.3 KM.
Up to 300 sailors will participate in the event on board 30 boats, aiming to win first places in the two rounds. The event will witness the participation of 20 boats in the local class run and 10 from the open class run, designated for boats from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the teams of government and national departments and institutions.
The sailors and captains of the top 20 ranking boats in the local class run and the top 10 in the open class run will receive the honor to participate and compete in the most expensive rowing boat championship in Dubai, the 27th edition of the Al Maktoum Cup, concluding the Traditional Rowing Championship this season.
The overall standings for the local class run were topped by boat no. 36 Al Asifa, owned by Hamdan Saeed Jaber and captained by Badr Abdul Hakim Mohammed Thani, with 4 points. The boat Atlas 39, owned by the same owner and led by Hassan Ibrahim Al Hosani, came second with 6 points and was ahead of the crew of boat no. 35 Al Kous, owned by Ali Ahmed Khamis Al Nuon, led by Humaid Fares Humaid Al Mesmari, who finished third with the same score.
In the rest of the top standings, Wadi Sahm 2 won fourth place with 7 points, Zilzal 51 fifth (10 points), Balbala 43 sixth (11 points), Zilzal 1 16 seventh (17 points), Shati Dibba 24 eighth (19 points), Wadi Ham 2- 99 ninth (22 points), and Wadi Ham 1- 88 tenth (24 points). Al-Saroukh 60 is eleventh (26 points), Ras Al-Khaimah 27 twelfth (30 points), Al-Saroukh 7 thirteenth (30 points), Al-Zaabi 8 fourteenth (31 points), Anad 1 14 fifteenth (32 points), Wadi Al-Seeji 11 sixteenth (32 points), Jalfar 55 seventeenth (33 points), and Al Zahab 65 eighteenth (33 points), Ras Al Khaimah 50 nineteenth (34 points), and Heniam 9 twentieth (38 points).
The Bahraini boat KHK 54, owned by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and captained by Ahmed Al Busmait, also topped the ranking of boats participating in the open category round with a score of 3 points. The two Omani boats, Shabab Suihar 22 and Belarab 44, belonging to the Oman Marine Sports Committee, led by Ibrahim Al Ghaithi and Humaid Al Bahri, came in second and third place with 4 and 5 points respectively.
In the remaining positions, boat no. 87, the A25 team, finished fourth with 9 points, Tornado 84 fifth with 13 points, Avon Center 31 sixth with 13 points, Dubai Police 3 seventh with 15 points, Men Jumeirah 4 eighth with 18 points, Dubai Police 30 ninth with 21 points, and Maysour 90 tenth with 23 points.
27
The 27th edition of the Al Maktoum Cup, the premier championship for the 30ft Traditional Rowing Race in the Dubai International Marine Club's sports season, is set to take place this Saturday, continuing its legacy since its inception in the 1997-1998 season.
This prestigious race has consistently flourished, owing its success to the steadfast support of wise leadership and the dedication of officials at the Dubai International Marine Club. Their unwavering commitment has been pivotal in developing and preserving the cultural heritage associated with this event.
The rowing event has been a constant highlight on the Dubai International Marine Club's calendar, eagerly anticipated by fans of this sport in the United Arab Emirates and extending its reach across borders through the participation of GCC countries for over a decade.
Over the course of its journey, it witnessed the crowning of 13 boats engaging in intense competition throughout its 26 seasons of existence, setting a challenging benchmark that captains, owners, and sailors strive to achieve.
In the past two seasons, the competition has expanded with the introduction of two categories for the title. This innovation includes the Open Class Category, specifically designated for teams from government departments, national institutions, and participants from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, thereby enhancing the competitive opportunities for all involved.
Today (Saturday), attention is shifting to the Dubai Water Canal for fans and enthusiasts of traditional sports as the 27th Al Maktoum Cup Traditional Rowing Race - 30ft is set to kick off at three o'clock in the afternoon, organized by the Dubai International Marine Club as part of the 2023-2024 sports season.
This significant race is considered the conclusion of the club’s activities for the year 2023 and plays an important role as one of the oldest races, now in its 27th edition since it started in the 1997-1998 season with the vision of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aiming to preserve the legacy of our forefathers.
300
The race brings together up to 300 rowing sailors who competed to secure the top position in the most expensive traditional rowing race. They participated in two qualifying rounds organized by the club on the 25th of November and the 9th of December. After these rounds, it was announced the top 20 boats qualified to participate in the local class run, and the top 10 boats qualified for the open class run, which is designated for boats from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and teams of government departments and national institutions.
20
The first half for the local class run will be participated by the following boat : Wadi Sahm (2) , Al Saroukh (7), Al zaabi (8), Heniam (9), Wadi Al Seeji (11), Anad(1), Zilzal 1 (16), Shati Dibba (24), Ras Al Khaimah (27), Al Kous (35), Al Asifa (36), Atlas (39), Balbala(43), Ras Al Khaimah (50), Zilzal (51), Jalfar (55), Al Saroukh (60), Al Zahab (65), Wadi Ham1 (88) and Wadi Ham 2 (99)
10
The second half for the open class run which will be participated by the following boat : Dubai Police (3), Men Jumeirah(4), Shabab Suhar (22), Dubai Police (30), Avon Center (31), Belarab (44), KHK (54), Tornado(84), A25 Team (87) and Maysour (90)
2.3
The participation procedure will commence around 1:00 PM, starting with the organizing committee meeting and all the participants. Following this, participants will line up at the starting line, located 2.3 KM from the finish line where the race will begin as soon as the green flag was raised for both halves (Local Class Run & Open Class Run)
Festivity and Show
Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at the Dubai International Marine Club, has confirmed the completion of all preparations for the upcoming large sporting event. He emphasized that the event will transform into a grand Gulf heritage festivity, featuring the active participation of numerous supporting parties.
Al Marri revealed that the event will extend beyond the waters of the Dubai Water Canal. Al Jaddaf Walk Square, a vibrant destination in the heart of Dubai, will serve as the venue for various events. This includes the Modern Boat Show, organized in partnership with the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, aimed at blending the authenticity of heritage with modern rowing practices and introducing the public to its diverse categories.
The Director of the Sports Affairs Department at the Dubai International Marine Club added that the site will also witness, for the first time, music performances by the musical band of the Dubai Police, while the organizing committee will provide a popular food corner and food trucks that will serve the public and participants.
He confirmed that the club’s organizing committee, in cooperation with the VIP Ambulance Services Company, will organize a free initiative for all participants and guests of the event by conducting an optional examination of vital signs (blood pressure, weight, and blood oxygen levels), in addition to awareness-raising side lectures for first aid.
15:00
Dubai Media Incorporated, represented by Dubai Sports TV Channels in their continuous support in traditional races will broadcast the race live at 15:00 HRS under the supervision of Abdul Rahman Amin, Director General Dubai Sports Channels and the operation team led by Abdul Khaleq Al Khamis and with the creative director specializing in watersprts Mohammed Saeed Al Ketbi, the voice of our colleague Abdullah Bouzenjal, and in field interview with Youssef Ibrahim and Ismail Abdul Latif in production.
Al Asifa 36, owned by Hamdan Saeed Jaber and captained by Badr Abdul Hakim Mohammed Thani, won the title in the 27th Al Maktoum Cup Traditional Rowing Race – 30ft (local category), organized by the Dubai International Marine Club within the current sports season 2023-2024.
Belarab 44 from the Sultanate of Oman, affiliated with the Oman Marine Sports Committee and captained by Humaid Bin Salim Al Bahri, secured first place in the open class category designated for boats from the GCC and teams from government departments and national institutions.
The two boats, Al Asifa 36 and Belarab 44, have added the precious trophy and grand title for the third time in the long history of the event, which began in the 1997-1998 season as the closing rounds for the Dubai Traditional Rowing Race - 30ft, with the participation of the elite and best-ranked boats in the overall standings.
The Dubai International Marine Club succeeded in organizing a unique event and a wonderful festival at the front of Al Jaddaf Walk near the Dubai Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, offering a stunning view of the Burj Khalifa and the Business Bay skyline. The event featured accompanying events and Dubai Police performances, represented by luxury cars and a musical band.
The race brought together up to 300 sailors on board 30 boats, competing in the local and open race categories. The local race witnessed the participation of 20 elite boats, while 10 boats sailed in the open race, covering a distance of 2.3 km deep into the waters of the Dubai Water Canal.
The race witnessed intense competition among the participants vying for the title. In the local race, the top 20 boats were led by Al Asifa 36, surpassing its rival boat, No. 35 Al Kous, owned by Ali Ahmed Khamis Al Nuon and skippered by Humaid Fares Humaid Al Mesmari, which secured second place. The third position went to boat No. 39 Atlas, owned by Hamdan Saeed Jaber and led by Hassan Ibrahim Al Hosani.
In the open race category, the competition involved the top 10 boats. Boat No. 44 Belarab from Oman emerged as the winner, defeating Dubai Police Boat 3, belonging to the General Headquarters of Dubai Police and captained by Khalaf Butti Mosbeh Al Ghasheesh Al Marri, who secured the runner-up position. The Bahraini boat KHK, owned by His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and led by Ahmed Nasser Al Busmait, took the third position.
After the race concluded, a ceremony took place to crown the first three place holders in the local and open categories. The event also included the honoring of success partners from government departments and national institutions. The ceremony was attended by Mohammed Harib, Chief Executive Officer at the Dubai International Marine Club, Dr. Maryam Anas Al Matrooshi, Chairman of the Athletes Council of the Dubai Police, and Mohammed Saif Al Marri, the race director.
