The Supreme Organizing Committee of the Al Gaffal Race for 60-foot local sailing ships, 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, decided to adopt the day after tomorrow, Friday, as the start date for the 33rd edition of the race.
The Supreme Organizing Committee of the race notified all participating owners and owners and all success partners contributing to organizing the event from government departments, bodies and national institutions of the new date, and directed the participants and committees to move towards Sir Bu Nair Island to complete the participation procedures, which include technical inspection and safety inspection on the participating ships.
The race, which was founded by the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, may God have mercy on him, begins in 1991, from the starting point, Sir Bu Nair Island, deep in the waters of the Arabian Gulf, towards the Island of the Moon, which represents the first finish line and the obligatory crossing point to reach the finish line off the shores of Dubai. The participating ships will sail a distance of more than 50 nautical miles in an effort to embrace the “Namous”, the 33rd edition of the most prestigious and oldest event in traditional marine races.
The advance delegation in the convoy of the organizing committee for the race arrived on Sir Bu Nair Island yesterday, and began its duties in preparing to receive the pioneering ships participating in the Al Gaffal Race, while the media coverage team accompanying the event from Dubai Media Incorporated arrived today on board the ship Al Shindagha, as well as the yacht Dibawi, which is carrying VIPs and representatives of the international media are keen every year to cover and follow the event.
The number of ships participating in the race rose to 123 ships with more than 2,500 ships on board.
The organizing committee had postponed the closing date for registration until the vision became clear regarding the new date, as the number reflected the great and continuing interest in the success of the race, which has gained great popularity among society, as it carries a special flavor and unique images in the gathering of family members on board ships.
For his part, member of the Supreme Organizing Committee and Supervisor of the event, Muhammad Al-Falahi, said, “The Supreme Organizing Committee worked to respond to the special directives of officials, to ensure the security and safety of everyone, including organizers and participants in the race, as choosing the start date of the race represented the most prominent challenge,” praising the continued cooperation. By the owners, crews and sailors who welcomed the decision.
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