Dubai International Marine Club is preparing to organize the 28th edition of the Al Maktoum Cup Traditional Rowing Race on Saturday, marking the final round of the 2024-2025 Dubai Traditional Rowing Race Championship.
The prestigious Al Maktoum Cup was established in May 1996 and made its debut in the 1996-1997 season as part of the Dubai Championship. This was followed by the introduction of the elite race for the Al Maktoum Cup in the 1997-1998 season, which marked the launch of its first edition.
The much-anticipated race will take place on Saturday along the usual track at the Al Jaddaf , near the entrance to Dubai Creek and adjacent to the Dubai Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, opposite the Swiss International Scientific School with a race distance of 2.3 km.
The event will feature 30 boats with up to 300 sailors, representing the top champions in this category based on results from the first and second rounds of the Dubai Championship, which concluded last Saturday. Among these, 20 boats will compete in the local category, while the open category will see 10 boats participating.
In the local category, notable participants include Ghazi 96 (leading the overall standings with 60 points), Men Jumeirah 4, Al Asifa 36 (title holder), Zilzal (1) 5, Mubarak Marine Team 87, Zilzal (2) 51, Al Zafer 49, Jalfar 55, Wadi Al Seeji 11, Wadi Sahm 2, Atlas 39, Ras Al Khaimah 27, Al Saroukh 7, Anad 6, Fujairah 47, Wadi Ham 88, Wadi Ham (2) 99, Thawban 10, Al Sharjah 32, and Ras Al Khaimah 50.
In the open category, introduced during the 2021-2022 season and open to boats from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and teams from government and national departments, 10 boats will compete. These include Belarab 44, F3 (89), Murbek 34, Dubai Police 3, Dubai Police 30, Al Zaabi 8, KHK 54, Victorious 53, Al Wasl 9, and Avon Center 31.
The eyes of heritage marine sports enthusiasts will turn to the Dubai Water Canal at 3 PM today, Saturday, as it hosts an exciting competition among elite owners, captains, and sailors for the title of the most prestigious championship of the season—the Al Maktoum Cup Traditional Rowing Race (30ft).
The event, organized by the Dubai International Marine Club since 1998, celebrates its 28th edition. It holds historical significance as the strongest and oldest championship in the Dubai Traditional Rowing Championship season, which officially began in the 1996-1997 season. This initiative reflects the vision of the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who supported marine races to preserve the legacy of the forefathers and revive the traditions of the past.
The race will bring together up to 300 sailors across a total of 30 boats, divided into two categories: the Local Class (20 boats), dedicated to UAE citizens, and the Open Class (10 boats), featuring teams from government departments, national institutions, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
In the Local Class, participants include boats such as Ghazi 96 (leading the overall standings with 60 points), Men Jumeirah 4, Al Asifa 36 (title holder), Zilzal 1 (5), Mubarak Marine Team 87, Zilzal 2 (51), Al Zafer 49, Jalfar 55, Wadi Al Seeji 11, Wadi Sahm 2, Atlas 39, Ras Al Khaimah 27, Al Saroukh 7, Anad 6, Al Fujairah 47, Wadi Ham 88, Wadi Ham 2 (99), Thawban 10, Al Sharjah 32, and Ras Al Khaimah 50.
The Open Class, introduced during the 2021-2022 season, includes contenders such as Belarab 44, F3 (89), Murbek 34, Dubai Police 3, Al Zaabi 8, KHK 54, Victorious 53, Al Wasl 9, and Avon Center 31.
The race will take place on the scenic waters of the Dubai Water Canal, a unique tourist destination in the heart of Dubai. The route follows a smooth 2.3 km track along the Al Jaddaf Waterfront walkway, starting at Business Bay and heading toward Dubai Harbour Creek. The course passes near the Dubai Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and the Swiss School, offering a picturesque setting for the event.
Mohammed Al Marri, Director of the Sports Affairs Department at the Dubai International Marine Club, confirmed that all preparations have been completed to ensure the event's success. He emphasized that this major sporting event highlights Gulf heritage and noted the fierce competition and high performance displayed by teams in Rounds 1 and 2 of the Dubai Traditional Rowing Championship.
Dubai Media Incorporated, represented by Dubai Sports Channels, will broadcast the race live at exactly 3 PM (15:00).
The Dubai International Marine Club extends its sincere gratitude to the Dubai Sports Channels team, including Abdulrahman Amin (Director General), Abdulkhaliq Al Khamis (Production Manager), Mohammed Saeed Al Ketbi (Director), Abdullah bin Suwaidan (Commentator), and Mohammed Al Saadi (Reporter).
The crew of Ghazi 96, owned by Sheikh Saeed bin Sorour Al Sharqi and led by Captain Ahmed Saeed Al Rumaithi, triumphed in the 28th edition of the Al Maktoum Cup Traditional Rowing Race in the Local Class Category, held last Saturday.
Belarab 44, affiliated with the Oman Marine Sports Committee and led by Captain Humaid Salim Al Bahri, secured victory in the Open Class Category of the Al Maktoum Cup Traditional Rowing Race. This category is dedicated to boats from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as teams from government departments and national institutions. Belarab 44 claimed the title for the third consecutive season and their fourth overall in the championship’s history.
The race, organized by the Dubai International Marine Club as part of the 2024-2025 marine season, coincided with the 53rd UAE National Day (Eid Al Etihad) celebrations. The event was a resounding success, featuring 300 sailors aboard 30 boats, recreating the maritime heritage of the past at one of the country’s most picturesque locations: the Dubai Water Canal in Al Jaddaf, near Dubai Harbour Creek and the Creek Wildlife Sanctuary.
Ghazi 96 dominated the season, winning first place in the first and second rounds of the Dubai Traditional Rowing Race, culminating in their maiden victory in the prestigious Al Maktoum Cup, a competition that began in 1998. The boat outperformed all 20 competitors in the local round, finishing ahead of Zilzal 51, owned by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and led by Captain Suleiman Ahmed Al Marie, who secured second place. Third place went to Men Jumeirah 4, owned by Butti Mosbeh Al Ghasheesh Al Marri and led by Captain Muhammed Abdulaziz Al Hammadi.
In the Open Class category, Belarab 44 continued its dominance, claiming first place and outperforming its competitors. Second place was secured by Murbek 34, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed and led by Captain Jaber Mohammed Jaber, while Avon Center 31, owned by Saif Hamed Al Zaabi and led by Captain Saeed Jassim Al Zaabi, finished third.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony attended by Khalid Khamis bin Dasmal and Mohammed Abdullah Harib, Board Members of the Dubai International Marine Club, alongside Mohammed Al Marri, the Race Director, and Colonel Ali Al Naqbi from Dubai Police. Medals and trophies were presented to the top three finishers in each category amidst an atmosphere of celebration.
Khalid Khamis bin Dasmal expressed his gratitude to all participants in the prestigious Al Maktoum Cup Traditional Rowing Race and the Dubai Traditional Rowing Championship for the 2024-2025 season, which achieved remarkable success. He also praised the efforts of the organizing committees and partners, including government departments and national institutions, for their contributions.
Omar Al Hosani, a crew member of the Ghazi 96 team, shared his joy: “We are very happy to win the Al Maktoum Cup for the first time, especially in our team’s debut appearance.” He credited their victory to the unwavering support of the boat owner, Sheikh Saeed bin Sorour Al Sharqi, and the exceptional leadership of their captain, Ahmed Saeed Al Rumaithi.
Humaid Salim Al Bahri, captain of Belarab 44, expressed his joy, saying, “Winning the Al Maktoum Cup title is a challenge every year for all teams. We consider ourselves fortunate and proud to have succeeded in securing the Open Class Category title in this prestigious championship for the third consecutive season, reaffirming our excellence among the elite boats of the season.”
